Sunday, January 31, 2021

Myanmar's Suu Kyi Detained In Military Coup, 1-Year Emergency Declared

Myanmar's Suu Kyi Detained In Military Coup, 1-Year Emergency Declared
Myanmar’s military seized power on Monday in a coup against the democratically elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who was detained along with other leaders of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party in early morning raids.

The army said it had carried out the detentions in response to “election fraud”, handing power to military chief Min Aung Hlaing and imposing a state of emergency for one year, according to a statement on a military-owned television station. A military spokesman did not answer phone calls seeking further comment.

Phone lines to the capital Naypyitaw and the main commercial centre of Yangon were not reachable, and state TV went off air hours before parliament had been due to sit for the first time since the NLD’s landslide election win in November, viewed as a referendum on Suu Kyi’s fledgling democratic government.

Soldiers took up positions at city hall in Yangon and mobile internet data and phone services in the NLD stronghold were disrupted, residents said. Internet connectivity also had fallen dramatically, monitoring service NetBlocks said.

Suu Kyi, Myanmar President Win Myint and other NLD leaders had been “taken” in the early hours of the morning, NLD spokesman Myo Nyunt told Reuters by phone.

“I want to tell our people not to respond rashly and I want them to act according to the law,” he said, adding that he expected to be arrested himself. Reuters was subsequently unable to contact him.

The detentions came after days of escalating tension between the civilian government and the military that stirred fears of a coup in the aftermath of the election.

The White House said President Joe Biden had been briefed on the arrest of Suu Kyi.

“The United States opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of recent elections or impede Myanmar’s democratic transition, and will take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed,” spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.

The Australian government said it was “deeply concerned at reports the Myanmar military is once again seeking to seize control of Myanmar” and called for the immediate release of the unlawfully detained leaders.

Japan said it was watching the situation and currently had no plans to repatriate Japanese nationals from Myanmar.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/104247-myanmar-s-suu-kyi-detained-in-military-coup-1-year-emergency-declared.html

Corona claims 26 more lives, lowest death toll in Pakistan in 74 days

Corona claims 26 more lives, lowest death toll in Pakistan in 74 days
The coronavirus claimed 26 more lives as another 1,615 people tested positive for the deadly disease during the past 24 hours across Pakistan.

According to the latest update released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 1,615 new infections surfaced after 34,785 samples were tested during this period.

The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country has soared to 546,428 with addition of the fresh cases while the countrywide death toll jumped to 11,683. There are a total of 33,493 active cases as 501,252 people have recuperated.

Since the first Covid-19 case was detected in the country almost a year back, Sindh has reported a total of 247,249 infections, Punjab 157,796, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 67,214, Balochistan 18,823, Islamabad 41,418, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 9,019, and Gilgit Baltistan 4,909.

Earlier, Federal Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar had said that Pakistan will likely get 17 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine by March.

Turning to social media via his official Twitter handle, the federal minister announced, “Good news on covid vaccine front.” He added that Pakistan received a response letter from Covax which i



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/104246-corona-claims-26-more-lives-lowest-death-toll-in-pakistan-in-74-days.html

As PDM deadline for govt to quit passes, Bilawal says opposition 'must now force removal of puppets'

PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari
PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday called upon the joint opposition to "force the removal of puppets", after the January 31 deadline set by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) for Prime Minister Imran Khan to quit passed without any signs of the government retreating.

"The selected PM has failed to resign by the deadline set by PDM," Bilawal said in a series of tweets, adding that the opposition alliance had given "this illegitimate regime the opportunity to step aside respectfully and allow for a transition to democracy with free, fair and transparent elections".

He said the Pakistani people faced historic poverty, unemployment and inflation because the incumbent government had been "forced on them".

"The joint opposition must now force the removal of puppets," he wrote, emphasising that the PPP believed in relying on democratic tactics and that sustained joint efforts inside and outside the parliament would "ultimately succeed" in sending the government home.

Bilawal said the plan of staging a long-march against the government and moving a no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran will "hopefully be discussed" in the next PDM meeting.

In a reference to the government's plan of introducing a constitutional amendment for open ballot in the upcoming Senate polls, the PPP chairman said the government's "desperation" was clear as it was "trying to change rules to rig Senate elections because they can see their defeat".

"God-willing, Senate elections will show [that the] government is on shaky ground," he added.

Bilawal also used the occasion to reiterate that the establishment "must leave political battles to the politicians now or risk being drawn into controversies".

"Only a government chosen by the people can deliver for the people," he concluded.

After a meeting of the leadership of its member parties, the PDM had given a deadline to Prime Minister Imran to step down by January 31, with the warning that a march on Islamabad would otherwise result in the ouster of the PTI government.

“In case the government does not step down, the date of the long march will be announced on Feb 1. We ask the people of Pakistan to start preparations for the long march from today,” PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had told a presser after presiding over the meeting.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/104245-as-pdm-deadline-for-govt-to-quit-passes-bilawal-says-opposition-must-now-force-removal-of-puppets.html

Petrol price in Pakistan goes up by Rs2.70 for February

Petrol price in Pakistan goes up by Rs2.70 for February
The government on Sunday announced that the price of petrol for February will go up by Rs2.70 per litre.

According to a notification by the Prime Minister Office, light diesel oil will also see a rise in price by Rs3, high speed diesel will cost Rs2.88 dearer and kerosene will be priced Rs3.54 more expensive per litre.

The new prices will take effect at midnight and as has become recent practice, may undergo revision before February 15.

A similar revision was done on January 15 for the remaining two weeks of the month.

 



source https://www.suchtv.pk/business/item/104244-petrol-price-in-pakistan-goes-up-by-rs2-70-for-february.html

11 killed as car bombs explode in Turkish-held north Syria

11 killed as car bombs explode in Turkish-held north Syria
Eleven people lost their lives after car bombs exploded in two separate incidents in Turkish-held northern Syria on Sunday. According to a monitoring group, the deceased included six civilians.

The first attack took place near a cultural centre in the town of Azaz and killed six civilians, including a young girl, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

An AFP reporter at the scene saw a mangled car ablaze, black smoke billowing into the sky.

A man rushed away from the site of the blast, carrying what appeared to be a child wrapped in a bloodied cloth.

In the second incident, a car bomb targeted a checkpoint of pro-Ankara rebels near the town of Al-Bab, killing five fighters, the Observatory added.

Areas of northern Syria held by Turkish forces and their Syrian proxies are regularly rocked by such bombings.

There is usually no claim for them, although Turkey routinely blames Kurdish fighters it accuses of being "terrorists" linked to its outlawed Kurdistan Workers´ Party (PKK).

On Saturday, explosives planted in another vehicle took the lives of eight civilians including four children in the city of Afrin, which Turkish forces and their proxies seized from Kurdish forces in 2018.

Syria´s war has killed more than 387,000 people and displaced millions since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

It has since evolved into a complex conflict involving jihadists and foreign powers.

 



source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/104237-11-killed-as-car-bombs-explode-in-turkish-held-north-syria.html

UAE updates Abu Dhabi entry rules in bid to curb coronavirus spread

UAE updates Abu Dhabi entry rules in bid to curb coronavirus spread
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has updated its entry rules for citizens to enter the emirate from within the country, as the country steps up measures to contain the novel coronavirus from spreading.

According to the Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee, the new procedures will be in effective since Monday, February 1, 2021.

PCR tests

According to the new rules, those who take a COVID-19 PCR test and their results come out negative, will be allowed into the emirate for 48 hours from the receipt of the result.

However, those who remain in Abu Dhabi for four or more days will have to take another PCR test on Day 4. For those who have to stay in the emirate for eight days or more, another PCR test must be taken on Day 8.

DPI test

For those taking a Diffractive Phase Interferometry (DPI) test, they will be allowed into the emirate for 24 hours from the receipt of the negative result. However, these tests are only valid for entry into the emirate once and cannot be used consecutively.

For those who wish to remain in Abu Dhabi for 48 hours or more will have to take a PCR test on Day 3 and another one must be taken on Day 7, if the persons wish to stay in Abu Dhabi for more than eight days.

Exemptions

The entry testing procedures will apply to all Emiratis and expats except for those who have either received COVID-19 vaccines during the trials or as part of the national vaccine programmes. They must however prove their vaccinated status through the Alhosn app, which must display a golden star or the letter E.

The Committee also explained that those who do not take the tests according to the schedule will be fined.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/104236-uae-updates-abu-dhabi-entry-rules-in-bid-to-curb-coronavirus-spread.html

Foreign troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond May deadline: Nato

Foreign troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond May deadline
International troops plan to stay in Afghanistan beyond the May deadline envisaged by the Taliban’s deal with the United States, four senior officials of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) said — a move that could escalate tensions with the Taliban demanding full withdrawal.

“There will be no full withdrawal by allies by April-end,” one of the officials told Reuters.

“Conditions have not been met,” he said, on condition of anonymity, because of the sensitivity of the matter. “And with the new US administration, there will be tweaks in the policy, the sense of hasty withdrawal which was prevalent will be addressed and we could see a much more calculated exit strategy.”

The administration of then-President Donald Trump signed an agreement with the Taliban early last year, calling for the withdrawal of all foreign troops by May in return for the insurgents fulfilling certain security guarantees.

Trump hailed the accord — which did not include the Afghan government — as the end of two decades of war. He reduced US troops to 2,500 by this month, the fewest since 2001.

Plans on what will happen after April are now being considered and likely to be a top issue at a key Nato meeting in February, the Nato sources said.

The Nato's positions are becoming increasingly important after the alliance was sidelined by Trump, diplomats and experts say.

Peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban began in September in Doha, but violence has remained high.

“No Nato ally wants to stay in Afghanistan longer than necessary, but we have been clear that our presence remains conditions-based,” said Nato spokeswoman Oana Lungescu. “Allies continue to assess the overall situation and to consult on the way forward.”

She said about 10,000 troops, including Americans, are in Afghanistan. Those levels are expected to stay roughly the same until after May, but the plan beyond that is not clear, the Nato source said.

Kabul and some foreign governments and agencies say the Taliban has failed to meet conditions due to escalated violence and a failure to cut ties with militant groups such as Al Qaeda, which the Taliban denies.

The administration of Joe Biden, who replaced Trump on Jan 20, has launched a review of his predecessor’s peace agreement.

A Pentagon spokesman said the Taliban have not met their commitments but Washington remained committed to the process and had not decided on future troop levels.

A State Department representative said Biden was committed to bringing a “responsible end to the ‘forever wars’ ... while also protecting Americans from terrorist and other threats.”

Afghanistan’s presidential palace did not respond to a request for comment.

The Taliban have become increasingly concerned in recent weeks about the possibility that Washington might change aspects of the agreement and keep troops in the country beyond May, two Taliban sources told Reuters.

“We conveyed our apprehensions, but they assured us of honouring and acting on the Doha accord. What’s going on, on the ground in Afghanistan, is showing something else. And that’s why we decided to send our delegations to take our allies into confidence,” said a Taliban leader in Doha.

A Taliban delegation this week visited Iran and Russia, and the leader said they were contacting China.

Although informal meetings have been taking place between negotiators in Doha, progress has stalled in recent weeks after an almost one-month break, according to negotiators and diplomats.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters the insurgents remained committed to the peace process.

“No doubt that if the Doha deal is not implemented there will be consequences, and the blame will be upon that side which does not honour the deal,” he said. “Our expectations are also that Nato will think to end this war and avoid more excuses for prolonging the war in Afghanistan.”

Nato and Washington will have a challenge getting the Taliban to agree to an extension beyond May.

If the situation remains unclear, the Taliban may increase attacks, possibly once again on international forces, said Ashley Jackson, co-director of the Centre for the Study of Armed Groups at the British think tank ODI.

The lack of a resolution “gives voice to spoilers inside the Taliban who never believed the US would leave willingly, and who have pushed for a ratcheting up of attacks even after the US-Taliban deal was agreed,” she said.

A Feb 17-18 meeting of Nato defence ministers will be a chance for a newly empowered NATO to determine how the process would be shaped, said one source, a senior European diplomat.

“With the new administration coming in there will be a more cooperative result, Nato countries will have a say.”



source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/104235-foreign-troops-to-stay-in-afghanistan-beyond-may-deadline-nato.html

PTI working on development as it considers Karachi its own unlike PPP's Sindh govt: Asad

 Asad Umar
The PTI-led federal government is working on development projects in Pakistan's southern port city as it considers the metropolis "its own", Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar said Sunday, claiming that its counterpart under the PPP in Sindh did not have the same views.

Speaking at the inauguration of the PTI's regional office in Shah Faisal Colony, Asad Umar said the ruling party "considers Karachi as [its] own and [the PPP] does not; therefore, the PTI is working on various development projects in the city.

Umar was accompanied by members of the Sindh Assembly, including PTI lawmakers Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Jamal Ahmed, and Adeel Ahmed.

"You don't consider Karachi as your own but we will continue to work here. When the federal government tries to work in Sindh, obstacles are put in its way.

"The local government system in Sindh does not meet the spirit of the Constitution. The local government should have all the powers but that's not the case in Karachi.

"Provinces [usually] seek help from the federation. The provincial ministers and the chief minister step up with promises but the powers have not been transferred yet," the minister added.

Umar, who also heads the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), which serves as the monitoring body related to the coronavirus pandemic, underscored that the ruling party and its Karachi-based coalition partner has approached the country's top court regarding the aforementioned issue.

"The PTI and the MQM have filed a petition in the Supreme Court regarding the local government powers," he said, adding that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah "does not consider Karachi as his own".

The federal minister noted that development work is underway in Karachi and that no one could hold leaders accountable better than the people themselves.

"Elections will be held under the new system, which empowers people," he mentioned, adding that the political families would not have any say under it.

"This will be the Naya Pakistan!"

Naqvi, the PTI lawmaker, echoed Umar's comments, saying five months have passed since the local government system ended but the Sindh leadership has not been able to announce a date for the transfer of powers.

"The city has fallen victim to the tyrannical Zardari party and the Sindh government is responsible for all the shortcomings," he said. "Karachi's problems have outgrown the province's problems over the past four decades.

"There is no mass transit system in Karachi," he lamented but added that only "working together will resolve" the problems of Pakistan's financial capital.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/sindh/item/104233-pti-working-on-development-as-it-considers-karachi-its-own-unlike-ppp-s-sindh-govt-asad.html

Pakistan announces 20-man T20I squad for South Africa series

Pakistan announces 20-man T20I squad for South Africa series
Pakistan Chief Selector Muhammad Wasim announced the 20-man squad for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa on Sunday. Wahab Riaz and all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez were excluded from the squad.

The 20-member squad comprises of the following players:

Babar Azam, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Hussain Talat, Danish Aziz, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Zafar Gohar, Faheem Ashraf, Aamer Yamin, Amad Butt, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Hasan Ali, Usman Qadir, Zahid Mehmood.

As per the precedent set by Wasim in the Test squad, the T20I group, too, featured a bunch of domestic stalwarts such as Zafar Gohar, Amad Butt, Zahid Mehmood and Danish Aziz. Aamer Yameen and Asif Ali, who had largely been forgotten, also marked their return.

Among the notable absentees were veterans Mohammad Hafeez and Wahab Riaz, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Musa Khan, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan and Abdullah Shafique.

Wasim announced the squad in Lahore during a press conference, which was broadcast live on the Pakistan Cricket Board's official YouTube channel.

The incumbent chief selector, who had replaced Misbah-ul-Haq late last year, had sprang a series of surprises in the Test squad, opting to give opportunities to some of the top performers of domestic circuit, including Nauman Ali, who went on to have an exceptional debut against South Africa in the first Test.

The first T20 between the two teams will be played on February 11, the second on February 13 while the last game will be played on February 14.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/sports/item/104232-pakistan-announces-20-man-t20i-squad-for-south-africa-series.html

Imran Khan's govt won't last a day if I don't want it to: Khattak

Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak
Prime Minister Imran Khan's government will not survive a single day if I don't want it to, said Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak on Sunday.

The former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister was speaking to PTI workers in Nowshera where he spoke about the incumbent government.

Khattak spoke about the Opposition, saying that they respected him which is why he also had regard for parliamentarians. "No one can cheat me when it comes to politics," he said, adding that Imran Khan's government would not last a single day if he didn't want it to.

However, Khattak clarified that the prime minister had bestowed a lot of favours on him and that he was with the premier all the way.

The former KP chief minister turned his guns towards the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), accusing it of trying to pressurise the government to hide their corruption.

"There are internal rifts within the PDM. Very soon, their artificial alliance will meet its fate," he said. Khattak blamed Opposition parties for having a hand in the inflationary situation that Pakistan was currently strugglign with, saying that it was the predecessor governments' policies that had brought Pakistan to its current state of affairs.

A few hours after the Khattak's above-mentioned statement started doing the rounds on social media, the defence minister took to Twitter to issue a clarification.

In the tweet, Khattak clarified that he was "sincere and indebted" to Imran Khan.

"Clearly mentioned in my speech for the locals of my village in Nowshera that I’m sincere and indebted to Imran Khan. We are successful in our constituency due to our efforts and the support of IK. We will defeat all opp. parties ganged up against the candidate we are supporting for the by-election," he tweeted.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/104231-imran-khan-s-govt-won-t-last-a-day-if-i-don-t-want-it-to-khattak.html

All CNG stations across Sindh will remain closed for 72 hours

cng stations
All the compressed natural gas (CNG) stations across Sindh will remain closed for 72 hours from Monday (Feb 1).

A spokesperson for the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) said gas filling stations will remain shut for 72 hours from 8 am on Monday till 8 am on Thursday (Feb 4) across the province.

A notification regarding CNG stations closure has been issued.

The country faces a shortfall of gas in winter, forcing the government to cut gas supply to CNG stations and industries while domestic consumer are supplied gas on priority.

Earlier, Special Assistant to the PM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar had said the country faced a dramatic decline in the domestic gas production this year. He said the government had suspended gas supply to CNG stations but domestic consumers will be given priority.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/sindh/item/104225-all-cng-stations-across-sindh-will-remain-closed-for-72-hours.html

Energy ministry announced contracts with 18 new IPPs for cheaper electricity in country

electricity
The energy ministry has announced contracts with 18 new independent power producers (IPPs) including wind power units, for cheaper electricity in the country.

According to the details on the development shared by sources, the government team has had successful deals with 18 new IPPs, including Kot Addu Power Company (KAPCO) for 1600 Mega Watt generation, for affordable electricy.

All 18 IPPs have agreed to signing government contracts out of which 17 are wind power units.

According to the contract, which is set to be signed between the government and these IPPs, slash in tariffs and other concessional terms have been concurred.

After the federal cabinet has consented to these contracts with IPPs, the official signing will take place instant, ARY News was told.

With these new 18 IPPs, the government has convinced about 41 IPPs, out of 47 that it talked to, for concessional terms and economical power supply.

It may be noted that earlier last week, the energy ministry hiked electricity tariffs by Rs1.95 per unit which it claimed is due to a hefty circular debt thanks to previous governments.

We could jack the prices by Rs2.18 per unit but we did not want to “burden the masses” so we only increased 23 per cent in tariff, said the federal minister for energy Omar Ayub in a joint presser today accompanied by the federal planning minister Asad Umer and Prime Minister’s aide on energy Tabish Gauhar.

Ayub said the incumbent government has inherited the circular debt crisis for which it is binding on it to hike the tariffs and translate the impact on the masses. Due to the heavy debts in the energy sector, which he termed a minefield, we had no other option but to expedite clearing off the payables, he said.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/business/item/104224-energy-ministry-announced-contracts-with-18-new-ipps-for-cheaper-electricity-in-country.html

PAF special aircraft departed for Beijing to bring Covid-19 vaccine

paf air craft
A special aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) departed for Beijing on Sunday to bring the first batch of a China-made Covid-19 vaccine to Pakistan.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), all arrangements for storage, transportation and administration of the vaccine have been finalised.

It said all measures for vaccine distribution across Sindh and Balochistan provinces have also been finalised.

The NCOC said a special vaccination centre has been set up in Islamabad while such centres in all provinces at a district-level are yet to be established.

China had promised to gift 500,000 doses of a coronavirus vaccine to Pakistan by January 31.

A day earlier, Federal Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar said that Pakistan will likely get 17 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine by March.

Turning to social media via his official Twitter handle, the federal minister announced, “Good news on covid vaccine front.” He added that Pakistan received a response letter from Covax which indicated “supply of up to 17 million doses of AstraZeneca in 1st half 2021”.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/health/item/104223-paf-special-aircraft-departed-for-beijing-to-bring-covid-19-vaccine.html

Six passengers arrested for trying to travel providing fake COVID-19 test

airport
As many as six passengers from Bacha Khan International Airport Peshawar were taken into custody for trying to travel while presenting fake COVID-19 test reports.

According to details, a vigilance team of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and KP health department took action against six passengers after they were trying to travel abroad using fake reports of COVID-19 test.

The passengers were traveling from separate flights of the PIA and a private airline to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain.

The passengers produced test reports to the authorities at the airport and on getting suspicious regarding their authenticity, the reports were checked and turned out to be fake.

The airlines did not issue boarding cards to the passengers and they were arrested over the forgery. They were later released after paying a fine but were not allowed to take the flight.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued strict SOPs for entering the nation-wide airports aimed at halting the spread of COVID-19.

According to details, after the implementation of the strict COVID-19 SOPs, many passengers were denied entry into the airports over violations.

“No one either the passengers or airport staffers will be allowed to enter the airports’ premises without a facemask,” the sources said adding that the airport managers are personally supervising the implementation.

They further said that all airlines have also been directed to comply with the SOPs and ensure that their staffers wear a facemask and warned that strict action would be taken over violations.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/kp-fata/item/104222-six-passengers-arrested-for-trying-to-travel-providing-fake-covid-19-test.html

Saturday, January 30, 2021

PPP to oppose constitutional amendment bill in senate elections

ppp
Pakistan People’s Party has decided to oppose the government’s move for constitutional amendment bill to change the secret ballot vote in senate elections.

According to sources, PPP, one of the two major opposition parties in the parliament, has decided to contact with the parliamentary parties to oppose the change in the voting method by replacing existing secret ballot to open ballot vote, as proposed by the government for the upcoming senate polls.

A meeting of the opposition parties’ alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is also expected to consider over the proposed constitutional amendment bill.

Prime minister’s Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs, Babar Awan in a media talk on Thursday announced that the PTI government would table a bill of amendments to the Constitution of Pakistan in the Parliament next week.

It is to be mentioned here that a five-judge larger bench of Supreme Court of Pakistan headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed hearing a presidential reference seeking opinion on open balloting for the upcoming Senate elections.

The bench, also comprising of Justice Mushir Alam, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan and Justice Yahya Afridi, will conduct next hearing of the reference on February 2.

The reference was submitted by the Attorney General of Pakistan Khalid Javed Khan after getting approved by President Dr Arif Alvi under Article 186 of the Constitution.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/sindh/item/104217-ppp-to-oppose-constitutional-amendment-bill-in-senate-elections.html

Court declares Shehbaz Sharif’s daughter, son-in-law proclaimed offenders in Saaf Pani corruption case

Shehbaz Sharif
An accountability court declared Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif’s daughter Rabia and son-in-law, Ali Imran, proclaimed offenders in Saaf Pani corruption case.

The court initiated the process of declaring the accused as proclaimed offenders over their continued non-appearance before the court.

The investigation officer has been directed to paste the advertisement in the AC, declaring Rabia and her husband Ali Imran as proclaimed offenders.

Both the accused have been named by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Saaf Pani corruption refernece.

Ali Imran, his wife Rabia and others are accused of denting the national exchequer Rs24.7 million in the Saaf Pani scam by giving the building of the project on rent.

According to the reference, Ali & Fatima Developers, a company of Ali Imran and Rabia illegally received the rent of the building which was even not completed and was under-construction.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/punjab/item/104216-court-declares-shehbaz-sharif-s-daughter-son-in-law-proclaimed-offenders-in-saaf-pani-corruption-case.html

PIA issued travel advisory for visitors to Saudi Arabia

pia
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has issued a travel advisory for visitors to Saudi Arabia and directed passengers to fill the new health declaration form.

A notification was issued by PIA’s Flight Services department which stated that the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) updated its health disclaimer form for all airlines operating in Saudi Arabia amid the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The national carrier ordered the staff to distribute the health declaration form onboard the flight to all passengers arriving at the kingdom with immediate effect.

Following the GACA instructions, the passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia have been asked by the PIA administration to fill and sign the mandatory health declaration form at the airport’s health control centres.

Earlier on Friday, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had extended a travel ban on passengers arriving from the United Kingdom (UK) other than Pakistani passport holders and updated its C category for international travel.

The new standard operating procedures (SOPs) had been issued by the Director Air Transport department of CAA according to which category C international passengers now have to show Covid-19 report upon arrival and they will undergo another Covid test in Pakistan.

The CAA had added six more countries to the C category list. South Africa, the UK, Portugal, Ireland and Brazil were the new countries included in category C.

It had notified the new categories, A & B, for international travels wherein 23 countries now qualify in the former category which means people travelling to Pakistan from them will not have to take the mandatory pre-boarding Covid test.

China, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and Australia are among the A-category countries according to CAA.

However, those coming from countries in the B travel category will have to make sure a negative Covid PCR report at maximum of 90 hours prior to boarding.

The rest of Covid SOPs will remain the same and their implementation will be mandatory, CAA said today. The new travel restrictions will remain in effect until February 28, 2021.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/104215-pia-issued-travel-advisory-for-visitors-to-saudi-arabia.html

Woman 'kept mother's body in freezer for 10 years'

woman 'kept mother's body in freezer for 10 years'
Police in Japan have arrested a woman after the body of her dead mother was discovered in a freezer in her flat.

Yumi Yoshino, 48, said that she found her mother dead and hid the body 10 years ago because she "didn't want to move out" of the Tokyo home they shared, local media reported, citing unnamed police sources.

There were no visible wounds on the frozen body, police said.

The authorities could not determine the time and cause of the woman's death.

The body was reportedly discovered by a cleaner after Ms Yoshino had been forced to leave the apartment due to missing rent payments.

The body had been bent to the fit in the freezer, police said.

Ms Yoshino was arrested in a hotel in the city of Chiba, near Tokyo, on Friday.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/104205-woman-kept-mother-s-body-in-freezer-for-10-years.html

New travel guidelines issued for travelers coming to Pakistan from abroad

New travel guidelines issued for travelers coming to Pakistan from abroad
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has issued a travel advisory for visitors to Saudi Arabia and directed passengers to fill the new health declaration form, on Saturday.

A notification was issued by PIA’s Flight Services department which stated that the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) updated its health disclaimer form for all airlines operating in Saudi Arabia amid the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.
The national carrier ordered the staff to distribute the health declaration form onboard the flight to all passengers arriving at the kingdom with immediate effect.

 



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/104204-new-travel-guidelines-issued-for-travelers-coming-to-pakistan-from-abroad.html

Sindh makes announcement for examinations of matric and intermediate sudents

Sindh makes announcement for examinations of matric and intermediate sudents
The Sindh government has made major announcements for the reopening of schools and examination schedules for the matriculation and intermediate students, reported on Saturday.

Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani announced that all schools will be reopened from February 1 across the province and the new academic year will begin from August 2.

The provincial minister made the announcement after chairing a session of the Sindh Education Department’s steering committee which deliberated upon the reopening of schools and universities after months-long closure of educational institutions amid the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

Saeed Ghani said that schools will be reopened from February 1 and examinations of 9th and 10th classes (matriculation) will be started from July 1. The exams of intermediate students, 11th and 12th classes, will be commenced from July 28. He added that standard operating procedures (SOPs) against COVID-19 will be strictly followed during the examinations.

“All educational boards will prepare the examination results within 90 days. Summer vacations will be observed for one month in July.”

“We had earlier reduced the syllabus for the academic year up to 40 per cent, however, the schools were closed again. It is now difficult to complete the remaining 60 per cent course. The committee has decided to conduct examinations of matric students from July 1 to July 15, whereas, the results will be released till September 15.”

Ghani said that practicals will be organised in schools and colleges while the administration of the educational centres will send the results to the concerned boards.

“The examinations of 11th and 12th graders (intermediate) will be started from July 28 and the results will be announced on October 15. However, no student will be promoted without examinations this year.”

“The committee has approved the recommendations to reduce the time duration of examination papers from three to two hours besides increasing the objective section. Objective section is increased up to 60 per cent from 40 per cent; short questions’ section was reduced to 20 per cent from 40 per cent and detailed questions’ section was also reduced to 20 per cent from 40 pc.”

“The new academic year will begin from August 2 in Sindh. Universities and medical colleges will not be allowed to start admissions before October 15 this year.”

Earlier in the day, Federal Minister for Education and National History and Literary Heritage, Shafqat Mahmood has reiterated that primary classes and universities will be reopened from February 1.

Speaking to journalists in Sukkur, Shafqat Mahmood ruled out further delay in reopening of primary schools and universities and added that corona outbreak has already cost huge loss to the students’ studies.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/sindh/item/104203-sindh-makes-announcement-for-examinations-of-matric-and-intermediate-sudents.html

Friday, January 29, 2021

Dusty winds spell in Karachi today

Dusty winds spell in Karachi today
Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted a likely spell of dusty winds in Karachi as minimum temperature dropped to 09º Celsius on Saturday.

The Met office has said that the wind speed has been measured at 12 kilometres per hour currently.
Presently northeastern winds blowing in the city, which could become southwesterly with change of the wind direction. Maximum temperature in city could increase in daytime to 26 degree Celsius, according to the weather report.

Cold and dry weather is likely to prevail over most parts of the country. while very cold in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan.

A wave of severe cold continued in northern districts of Balochistan including Quetta and Kalat, where the mercury dropped to minus-5 degree Celsius, while the mercury dropped to minus six in Ziarat.

Minimum Temperature: The mercury dropped to minus-12 at Astore, minus-10 at Skardu, minus-09 at Kalam and minus-04 at Malamjabba.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/sindh/item/104198-dusty-winds-spell-in-karachi-today.html

Primary classes, universities to reopen from Feb 1: Education Minister

Primary classes, universities to reopen from Feb 1: Education Minister
Federal Minister for Education and National History and Literary Heritage, Shafqat Mahmood has said on Saturday that primary classes and universities will be reopened from February 1.

Speaking to journalists in Sukkur, Shafqat Mahmood ruled out further delay in reopening of primary schools and universities and added that corona outbreak has already cost huge loss to the students’ studies.

Responding to a query related to the Transparency International report, the minister said that Pakistan had been facing the problem of corruption for long. Whoever looted national kitty would be held accountable, he added.

He said that Sindh is the province of Pakistan and they love it and the motive behind visiting its cities is to review the current situation of the national heritage.

Earlier, Transparency International had lauded the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) performance over the past two years.

Sohail Muzaffar, the chairperson of Transparency International Pakistan Chapter, had said the national graft buster recovered looted money to the tune of Rs363 billion through its extraordinary efforts over the last two years and deposited the amount in the national exchequer.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/education/item/104197-primary-classes-universities-to-reopen-from-feb-1-education-minister.html

2 killed in collision between two trailers in Karachi

Two killed in collision between two trailers in Karachi
Two people were killed and one got injured in a collision between two trailers at M-9 Karachi near Kathore, reported on Saturday.

According to rescue sources, the horrible road crash took place near Kathore at the Karachi Motorway, M-9, which resulted in fatalities of two and injuries to one.

The bodies and injured were moved to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Earlier on Dec 19. 2020, an appalling accident near Northern Bypass on Karachi’s M-10 Motorway had claimed at least one life while injuring eight people as a private vehicle and a dumper truck collide.

According to rescue sources who went to the scene soon after the unfortunate development transpired, the eight injured and the body of one deceased are being shifted to Civil Hospital.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/sindh/item/104196-2-killed-in-collision-between-two-trailers-in-karachi.html

Corona claims 65 more live in last 24 Hrs

Corona claims 65 more live in last 24 Hrs
Pakistan has recorded 65 more coronavirus-related deaths in past 24 hours, surging the overall death toll to 11,623, reported on Saturday.

According to the latest statistics of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the COVID-19 has claimed 65 more lives and 2,179 fresh infections were reported.

In the past 24 hours, as many as 1,407 patients have recovered from the virus in a day and 2,111 patients are still in critical condition.

The total count of active cases is 33,439.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), with fresh inclusion of the infections in the country the national tally of cases now currently stands at 543,214.

A total of 41,435 tests were conducted across the country during this period. Overall 498,152 people have recovered from the deadly disease so far while 7,889,741 samples have been tested thus far.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/104195-corona-claims-65-more-live-in-last-24-hrs.html

Explosion outside Israeli embassy in New Delhi

Explosion outside Israeli embassy in New Delhi
A low intensity blast occurred nearby the Israeli embassy in New Delhi on Friday, police said, adding that there were no casualties.

The explosion, caused by a "very low intensity improvised device" damaged the window panes of three nearby parked cars, a Delhi police spokesman said in a statement.

"Initial impressions suggest a mischievous attempt to create a sensation," the statement said.

"An explosion occurred recently near the Israeli embassy in India. There were no casualties in the blast, and no damage to the building," Israel's foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The incident is under investigation by the authorities in India, who are in contact with the relevant Israeli authorities."

The blast occurred shortly after 1700 IST (1130 GMT), while India's President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were participating in a military ceremony a kilometre away from the site.

A Reuters eyewitness said the site of the blast was quickly cordoned off by police.

In 2012, a blast near the embassy in New Delhi injured an Israeli diplomat's wife, her driver and two others. It coincided with an attack on another Israeli diplomat in Tbilisi, Georgia.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/104194-explosion-outside-israeli-embassy-in-new-delhi.html

Petrol may become more expensive in Pakistan from February

Petrol may become more expensive in Pakistan from February
The prices of petroleum products in Pakistan are likely to go up yet again from February 1.

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has sent a summary of the prices of petroleum products in which it has proposed an increase of Rs12 per litre for petrol and Rs10 per litre for diesel, say sources in the petroleum division.

The final decision would be taken by the Ministry of Finance headed by Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh after consultation with Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Ogra prepared its summary on the basis of a levy of Rs30 per litre. Currently, the levy on petrol is Rs21.56 per litre and Rs23.9 per litre on diesel.

The government can reduce the proposed increase to a very low level by not increasing the levy or it can maintain the current prices of petroleum products with a slight reduction in the levy.

Last month, the government had increased the prices of petroleum products twice after every 15 days.

On January 1, the price of petrol went up by Rs 2.31 and diesel by Rs1.80, while on January 15, the government again increased the price of petroleum products with petrol becoming Rs3.20 more expensive per litre and diesel Rs2.95 more expensive per litre.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/business/item/104185-petrol-may-become-more-expensive-in-pakistan-from-february.html

Sindh to begin coronavirus vaccine drive from Feb 3: Shah

Sindh Information and Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah
Sindh Information and Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah on Friday said that Sindh will start a COVID-19 vaccination drive from Wednesday, February 3.

He was addressing a press conference at the Sindh Assembly, during which he said that the federal government has received about 500,000 vaccine doses from China, out of which Sindh has received 82,359 doses.

"In the first phase of the vaccination drive, front line healthcare workers will be inoculated, " he said. "The Sindh health department has allocated Rs1.5 billion for COVID-19 vaccine."

Nasir Shah said that the chief minister of Sindh has also earmarked a separate budget for the purpose.

"Sindh CM has also written a letter to prime minister Imran Khan regarding the procurement of the vaccine," the Sindh information minister said, adding that in the beginning, vaccines will be distributed in 10 districts of the province.

Nasir Hussain Shah added that the Centre is yet to permit the Sindh government to purchase the vaccine.

"We want to vaccinate the people of Sindh free of charge," the minister said.

The minister also touched upon the topic of cleanliness in Karachi and said that there has been "considerable improvement" in this regard.

He lamented that the Centre is yet to give Sindh its due share of Rs72 billion.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/sindh/item/104184-sindh-to-begin-coronavirus-vaccine-drive-from-feb-3-shah.html

Biden administration keeping Zalmay Khalilzad as US negotiator with Taliban

Zalmay Khalilzad
The United States has decided to retain Zalmay Khalilzad as the US special envoy to Afghanistan.

He has been asked to stay in his post under US President Joe Biden.

“We’ve asked him to continue the vital work that he’s performing,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his first news conference since taking office.

Khalilzad, a political scientist born in Afghanistan, is a veteran of Republican administrations who served as US ambassador to the United Nations, Iraq and Afghanistan under former President George W Bush.

He brokered a deal with Afghanistan’s Taliban.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/104183-biden-administration-keeping-zalmay-khalilzad-as-us-negotiator-with-taliban.html

U.N. voices alarm about Myanmar after military threats, coup fears

U.N. voices alarm about Myanmar after military threats, coup fears
The United Nations and Western governments voiced alarm on Friday over threats by Myanmar’s military that have stirred fears of a coup in the aftermath of an election the army says was fraudulent.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was following with “great concern” developments in Myanmar, where the army has said it would take action if complaints about the election are not addressed. An army spokesman on Tuesday declined to rule out the possibility of seizing power.

Australia, Britain, Canada, the European Union and United States, and 12 other nations, in a separate statement urged the military to “adhere to democratic norms”.

They said they opposed “any attempt to alter the outcome of the elections or impede Myanmar’s democratic transition”.

A military spokesman did not answer phone calls seeking comment.

Talks between the civilian government and army failed to ease tensions ahead of parliament’s opening on Monday, a ruling party spokesman said as pro-military protesters gathered in two cities.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) won a resounding victory in the Nov. 8 poll, only the second election deemed free and fair by international observers since the end of direct military rule in 2011.

But allegations by the army of widespread voter fraud, which the electoral commission denies, have led to the most direct confrontation yet between the civilian government and the military.

The country’s constitution reserves 25% of seats in parliament for the military, which has demanded a resolution to its complaints ahead of Monday, when parliament is set to convene, and has refused to be drawn on whether its lawmakers will show up.

The commander-in-chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, told military personnel on Wednesday that the constitution should be repealed if it was not abided by, citing previous instances when charters had been abolished in Myanmar.

A Western diplomat in Yangon said information about the situation was hard to verify because “not many people speak with one of the sides”, referring to the army, but a coup would be a “tragic eventuality”.

“The country is defined by that history, so this would be unforgiveable. The people from Myanmar would consider that unforgiveable,” the diplomat said.

Suu Kyi has not made any public comment on the dispute. A spokesman for her NLD said members had met military leaders on Thursday for talks but said they were “not successful”.

“We do have concerns but they are not too significant,” the spokesman, Myo Nyunt, said by telephone, explaining how they had anticipated some tension due to the NLD’s plan to amend the constitution after the vote to curb the power of the military.

He said police battalions were stationed in the capital, Naypyitaw, where the Supreme Court was set to hold an initial hearing on complaints filed against the president and the head of the election commission.

He said in the event of a coup the NLD would not respond with force.

Several dozen trucks carrying protesters with placards denouncing the government and election commission and praising the military circled the city on Friday morning but turned back from the court, where police were deployed.

NLD lawmaker Zin Mar Aung said police were patrolling the parliament compound and there was need for caution.

“We cannot pretend as if nothing is happening,” Zin Mar Aung said by telephone.

Win Htein, a senior member of the NLD who spent years in prison during military rule, said he was prepared in case he was arrested.

“I am packed and ready to follow them if they come to take me today,” he said.

Author and historian Thant Myint-U said on Twitter on Thursday the country was likely “veering towards its most acute constitutional crisis since the abolition of the old junta in 2010”.

A youth leader for the NLD, who asked not to be identified, said many people had a real fear of return to military rule.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/104182-u-n-voices-alarm-about-myanmar-after-military-threats-coup-fears.html

U.S. and China may meet at Singapore's 'Davos', WEF says

United States President Joe Biden
United States President Joe Biden’s new administration may hold meetings with Chinese counterparts at a World Economic Forum meeting in Singapore in May, the organisation’s president said on Friday.

Borge Brende was speaking in a virtual dialogue with Singapore’s prime minister, who called for a reset of the relationship between the two superpowers.

“Singapore has had very close ties with the U.S. but also worked very well with China,” Brende said.

“The special annual meeting could be a place where you could see the new Biden administration and China meet.”

The meeting has been moved from its usual home in the Swiss town of Davos, from where it takes its informal name, to Singapore over concerns about COVID-19 in Europe.

Beijing has been pushing for greater global influence in a challenge to traditional U.S. leadership. Relations between the two nations soured under former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration over trade tariffs and Trump’s criticism of China’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It cannot possibly be too late for the U.S. and China to reset the tone of their interactions, and avert a clash between them,” said Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong.

“The new U.S. administration is an opportunity to steer the relationship towards safer waters,” he said, adding the U.S.-China relationship should become a key strategic priority for Biden.

Neither China or the United States have said whether they will send officials to the meeting due to be held from May 25-28, over which there remains uncertainty given the pandemic still raging across many parts of the world.

Lee said Singapore would work with the forum to ensure the health and safety of all.

“I welcome all of you to Singapore in May...and forge a new path forward together,” Lee said in prepared remarks.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/104181-u-s-and-china-may-meet-at-singapore-s-davos-wef-says.html

PM Imran Khan congratulates CM Buzdar on destroying 'palaces' of landgrabbers

Prime Minister Imran Khan
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday gave Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar a pat on the back for razing to the ground landgrabbers' 'palaces'.

The prime minister made these comments while addressing a public gathering in Sahiwal, where he arrived earlier today on a one-day visit. The prime minister's comments seemed to be targeting PML-N leaders Saiful Malook Khokhar and his relatives.

The government had launched a massive operation against the PML-N leaders, alleging that they had occupied land illegally. The Khokhar brothers denied accusations of wrongdoing, blaming the government for exacting political revenge on them.

He said that the government had taken action against "Lahore's largest qabza group", accusing a former prime minister of supporting them.

"The [former] prime minister and his government were protecting these landgrabbers," he said.

The prime minister turned his guns to the Opposition, saying that change had indeed been brought to Pakistan because for the first time ever, "big thieves" were being held to account.

The prime minister said that the government had decided that every person in Sahiwal will be given health insurance amounting to Rs750,000.

"Research around the world shows that those households, that even are placed above the poverty line, suffer setbacks when they are afflicted with diseases," he said.

The prime minister said that his government had decided to initiate health insurance free for the masses from DG Khan since it was the most backward area of the province. He promised to provide health insurance to each and every person in Punjab.

"By December, Insha'Allah, every person in Punjab will have health insurance," he said.

The prime minister said that even in developed countries, universal healthcare was not offered to the common man.

The prime minister urged the Punjab chief minister to focus on improving education in government educational institutions.

He lamented how there were three different educational syllabuses being taught to students in one country. "In one country, we have three different syllabuses. Three different cultures," he said.

 



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/104180-pm-imran-khan-congratulates-cm-buzdar-on-destroying-palaces-of-landgrabbers.html

Pakistan win first Test against South Africa

Pakistan win first Test against South Africa
Pakistan on Friday defeated South Africa in the first Test by seven wickets taking a lead of 1-0 in the two-match Test series.

Debutant Nauman Ali finished with 5-35 and Yasir Shah took 4-79 as South Africa slumped to 245 all out in their second innings on the fourth day on a wearing National Stadium pitch that favoured spin bowlers.

Pakistan, needing 88 for victory, lost openers Abid Ali, Imran Butt and Babar Azam for a total of 52 runs before achieving the target in 22.5 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

The second Test starts on February 4 in Rawalpindi.

Azhar Ali was 31 not out while Fawad Alam -- who hit a fighting hundred in the first innings -- hit the winning boundary.

It was only Pakistan’s fifth victory against South Africa in 27 Tests.

Anrich Nortje bowled Abid in the first over after lunch and then had Butt caught behind to finish with figures of 2-24.

Azam, on his Test captaincy debut, was dismissed leg before by Keshav Maharaj.

It was a spinners’ battle on a brownish wicket, allowing Nauman to record figures of 7-73 and Yasir 7-133. In contrast, South Africa’s spinners managed just four wickets.

Pakistan had taken a crucial 158-run first innings lead, thanks to a fighting century from Fawad and half centuries from Faheem Ashraf and Azhar.

The writing was on the wall as South Africa lost nightwatchman Maharaj on the first ball of the day, bowled for two by pacer Hasan Ali.

South African skipper Quinton de Kock had a miserable 50th Test as he followed his 15 in the first innings with just two runs as he was caught off a lazy push off Yasir.

Temba Bavuma, who scored 40, added 42 for the seventh wicket with George Linde before being the last man out as Nauman took the last four wickets in a rapid 22 balls.

He dismissed Linde for 11, Kagiso Rabada for a single run, and Anrich Nortje for a duck, before removing Bavuma, to become the 12th Pakistani bowler to take five wickets in an innings on his debut.

South Africa are on their first tour of Pakistan for 14 years.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/sports/item/104179-pakistan-win-first-test-against-south-africa.html

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Pakistan records 1,644 new corona infections, 46 deaths in last 24 Hrs

Pakistan records 1,644 new corona infections, 46 deaths in last 24 Hrs
Pakistan has recorded 46 more coronavirus-related deaths in past 24 hours, surging the overall death toll to 11,560,reported on Friday.

According to the latest statistics of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the COVID-19 has claimed 46 more lives and 1,644 fresh infections were reported.
In the past 24 hours, as many as 2,167 patients have recovered from the virus in a day and 2,133 patients are still in critical condition.

The total count of active cases is 32,726.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), with fresh inclusion of the infections in the country the national tally of cases now currently stands at 541,031.

A total of 43,381 tests were conducted across the country during this period. Overall 496,745 people have recovered from the deadly disease so far while 7,848,316 samples have been tested thus far.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/104173-pakistan-records-1-644-new-corona-infections-46-deaths-in-last-24-hrs.html

OGRA hikes gas prices by almost Rs40 for Sindh, Balochistan consumers

Sui Southern Gas Company
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has Thursday approved an upward revision in the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) tariffs by almost Rs40 per mmbtu which will translate in the consumer bills of Balochistan and Sindh.

Petroleum regulator OGRA in its decision today has agreed to the hike in utility prices requested by SSGC. The new revised prices to be borne by consumers is Rs778.59 per mmbtu.

A total of Rs39.89 has been increased in the total tariff which will be applicable after the notification to this effect has been issued by the government.

It may be noted that for the northern region of Pakistan, covered by Sui Northern Gas and Pipeline Limited, the decision is expected tomorrow and the same will be then applicable on the consumers of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

Separately for the Karachi residents, the federal government of Pakistan has yesterday okayed an additional 400 megawatts of electricity to Karachi according to the sources, that in a bid to ensure the port city does not suffer long power outages in the coming summers.

The decision came following the session held earlier today between the federal power division and Karachi’s sole power distributor K Electric.

The sources confirmed that the session approved 1,200MW to Karachi post-April instead of a present supply of 800MW, however, the agreement for the development of additional power supply has yet to be penned.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/business/item/104171-ogra-hikes-gas-prices-by-almost-rs40-for-sindh-balochistan-consumers.html

Apple becomes world's biggest smartphone seller with record shipments

Apple Inc’s smartphone
Apple Inc’s smartphone shipments jumped 22 per cent to record levels in the fourth quarter, making it the world’s biggest seller, while those for Huawei plunged as US sanctions took effect.

An expanded number of models and a new look for the iPhone 12 lineup, Apple’s first 5G-enabled devices, tapped pent up demand for upgrades, especially in China.

Shipments hit 90.1 million phones, a record for any quarter, giving it global market share of 23.4pc, data from research firm IDC showed.

“In China, Apple seized the perfect opportunity to capture Huawei’s market share in the high end, when the latter has essentially not enough supply even though demand for the brand is still there,” said Nicole Peng, who tracks China’s smartphone market at Canalys.

The data comes on the heels of Apple reporting record holiday quarter sales on Wednesday, with revenue crossing $100 billion for the first time.

Sales in Greater China, which includes Hong Kong and Taiwan, surged 57pc.

“We had two of the top three selling smartphones in urban China,” Chief Executive Tim Cook told Reuters in an interview, adding that upgraders in particular had set an all-time record in China.

As is often the case in the fourth quarter when it launches new products, Apple took the top spot from Samsung Electronics.

The South Korean firm saw a 6.2pc year-on-year increase to 73.9 million devices, giving it market share of 19.1pc.

Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, unsurprisingly, suffered the most pain, with shipments tumbling a record 42.4pc to 32.3 million.

The Chinese tech powerhouse has been battered after the previous US administration blacklisted it on national security grounds, preventing overseas companies from supplying it with key parts including semiconductors.

Huawei is now in early-stage talks to sell its premium smartphone brands P and Mate, two people with direct knowledge of the matter have said, a move that could see the company eventually exit from the high-end smartphone-making business.

According to IDC, it now ranks fifth compared with the No 2 ranking it had only two quarters earlier.

But research firms Counterpoint and Canalys, which also released data on Thursday, pegged Huawei at number six, marking the first time in years that it has fallen out of the top five in their rankings.

China’s Xiaomi Corp, the number three seller, saw its shipments soar 32pc while shipments for fourth-ranked Oppo climbed 10.7pc, according to IDC.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/technology/item/104170-apple-becomes-world-s-biggest-smartphone-seller-with-record-shipments.html

WhatsApp posts first Status update to ease users' privacy concerns

WhatsApp
WhatsApp has started to use its own Status feature update in a bid to allay users' concerns that the app will not violate their privacy.

Bought by Facebook in 2014, WhatsApp is one of the most popular apps of all time, used by an estimated two billion people across the globe.

However, ever since its announcement a few weeks ago that WhatsApp has the right to share user data across its other units such as Messenger and Facebook, users around the globe have been switching to other messaging platforms.

The user data included phone numbers, locations and other information.

"We'll let you know about new features and updates here," read WhatsApp's first ever Status post. "One thing that isn't new is our commitment to your privacy."

WhatsApp clarified to users that it "can't read or listen to your personal conversations as they're end-to-end encrypted", which has been one of the main causes of concern for people, businesses and even some governments.

However, WhatsApp has not said that it was planning to reverse its move and seems adamant on its data-sharing decision.

WhatsApp had sent in-app notifications to users, informing them that if they did not agree to its new terms then they won't be able to access the service after February 8, 2021.

Ever since WhatsApp introduced its new terms, users around the globe are switching to Signal and Telegram, its rival messaging platforms.

Khilji, who is also a director at digital rights organisation Bolo Bhi, had said that one-to-one conversations between users will “remain encrypted”.

However, he explained WhatsApp will provide “some information” to its parent company Facebook.

Khilji had said WhatsApp will now be able to share a user’s status, mobile being used, internet and the phone number and IP address being used by an account.

“They will use this information to target you through Facebook ads,” the Bolo Bhi director had said.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/technology/item/104168-whatsapp-posts-first-status-update-to-ease-users-privacy-concerns.html

Russian MPs vote for extension of N-treaty with US

Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday the extension of a key nuclear pact was a positive development in reducing global tensions, as lawmakers unanimously voted to ratify the agreement to prolong New START in a rare moment of cooperation between Moscow and Washington.

“No doubt it is a step in the right direction,” Putin said at the World Economic Forum summit being held virtually this year, addressing the body for the first time since 2009.

But the Russian leader warned: “The situation can still develop unpredictably and uncontrollably if we sit on our hands.” Earlier in the day 399 Russian lawmakers in parliament’s lower house, the State Duma, voted in favour of extending the agreement, with no votes against or abstentions. The upper house ratified the treaty extension later on Wednesday.

Putin submitted a bill extending the accord that both houses of parliament quickly ratified after the Russian leader and new US President Joe Biden held their first phone call Tuesday evening.

The New START treaty is the last remaining arms reduction pact between the former Cold War rivals.

The Kremlin hailed the extension of the pact for five years. “This is a good timeframe, which will allow us to work well — if the political will exists — to either further extend it or (agree) a new text of the agreement,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Signed in 2010, New START caps to 1,550 the number of nuclear warheads that can be deployed by Moscow and Washington, which control the world’s largest nuclear arsenals.

The agreement, which is due to expire on February 5, is seen as a rare opportunity for compromise between Moscow and Washington, whose ties have dramatically deteriorated in recent years.

Biden signalled a tough US stance on Russia in his phone call with Putin, raising concerns over human rights and “aggression” against Ukraine.

The US leader also raised a raft of worries about the Russian authorities’ treatment of opposition members, including the “poisoning of Alexei Navalny”, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

But the agreement to extend the New START pact raised hopes for greater stability between the world’s two most heavily armed nations, drawing a line under the uncertainty that entered under Donald Trump, whom Biden replaced last week.

The accord was signed by then-US president Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev and was seen as a key component of Obama’s efforts to “reset” ties with the Kremlin.

Still, Peskov stressed on Wednesday that major differences between Moscow and Washington remained, indicating that a new reset was out of the question. “Of course so far there are no conditions for a reset,” Peskov said.

“It is enough that the presidents yesterday stressed the need to continue dialogue, having noted the existence of rather serious disagreements,” he added.

Talks on the nuclear arms reduction agreement last year had stalled over Trump’s insistence that China also become a party to the pact, even though Beijing made clear it would not participate. The Trump administration voiced willingness for a one-year extension ahead of the deadline but talks broke down over US insistence on tougher verification that Russia has frozen its nuclear work.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/104167-russian-mps-vote-for-extension-of-n-treaty-with-us.html

Biden freezes giant UAE jet package, Saudi arms for review

Biden freezes giant UAE jet package, Saudi arms for review
US President Joe Biden's administration has temporarily frozen for review a massive package of F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates and arms to Saudi Arabia, officials said on Wednesday.

The nearly week-old administration has already signalled it plans to end support for the Saudi-led, UAE-backed offensive in Yemen, which is facing a humanitarian catastrophe.

A State Department spokesperson said the administration is “temporarily pausing the implementation” of a number of defence sales “to allow incoming leadership an opportunity to review”.

“This is a routine administrative action typical to most any transition, and demonstrates the administration's commitment to transparency and good governance,” the spokesperson said.

The move is also aimed at “ensuring US arms sales meet our strategic objectives of building stronger, interoperable and more capable security partners”.

The most high-profile sale is a $23 billion package of top-of-the-line F-35 jets to the UAE.

Former president Donald Trump's administration agreed to the sale — the first of the stealth-capable planes to an Arab nation — after the UAE agreed to recognise Israel.

A potential halt to the sale could raise questions about whether the UAE will continue its normalisation with Israel, which Trump saw as a key foreign policy achievement.

Lawmakers of Biden's Democratic Party had voiced misgivings over the deal, fearing it would set off an arms race, but failed in the Senate to block the sale while Trump was in office.

The package to the UAE also included unarmed drones, while the United States has been preparing major sales of munitions to Saudi Arabia.

Trump had explicitly backed arms sales on commercial grounds, saying that the Saudis were creating US jobs by buying from US manufacturers.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during his confirmation hearing that the Saudi offensive against Yemen's Huthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, has contributed to the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/104166-biden-freezes-giant-uae-jet-package-saudi-arms-for-review.html

Carmaker Toyota beats Volkswagen

Carmaker Toyota beats Volkswagen
Japan’s Toyota Motor overtook Germany’s Volkswagen in vehicle sales last year, regaining pole position as the world’s top selling automaker for the first time in five years as the pandemic demand slump hit its German rival harder.

Toyota said on Thursday its group-wide global sales fell 11.3% to 9.528 million vehicles in 2020. That compared with a 15.2 percent drop at Volkswagen to 9.305 million vehicles.

Automakers have suffered as coronavirus lockdowns have stopped people from visiting car showrooms and forced manufacturing plants to reduce or halt production.

Toyota, however, has weathered the pandemic better in part because its home market Japan, and the Asian region in general, have been less affected by the outbreak than Europe and the United States.

“Our focus is not on what our ranking may be, but on serving our customers” a Toyota spokeswoman said.

As demand for cars rebounds, particularly in China, Toyota, Volkswagen and other manufacturers are scrambling to tap growing demand for electric cars. Toyota said that the ratio of electric vehicle it sold last year grew to 23% of total sales from 20% in 2019.



source https://www.suchtv.pk/business/item/104162-carmaker-toyota-beats-volkswagen.html

Yasir Shah brings back Pakistan by taking wickets in twilight phase

Yasir Shah brings back Pakistan by taking wickets in twilight phase
Yasir Shah bagged two wickets in the last session to bring Pakistan back in the game again as South Africa finished Day 3 at 187-4, with a lead of 29 runs.

Yasir bagged Rassie van der Dussen and Faf Du Plessis in quick successions as Pakistan took off after a frustrating first two sessions with taking just a wicket.

Aiden Markram (74) and Rassie van der Dussen (64) scored 127 runs together for the second to put a solid reply from the visitors.

Markram was picked up by debutant Nauman Ali with Abid Ali taking a second good catch at silly point.

Openers Aiden Markram and Elgar provided a steady start to South Africa as they scored 37-0 at Lunch against Pakistan. Both scored 48 runs together before Elgar walked back.

Dean Elgar was pushed for a sweep shot off Yasir Shah but he failed to acclimatize and Rizwan took a blinder diving forward.

Elgar scored 29 off 45 balls with the help of four boundaries.

Yasir bagged three wickets while Nauman took a wicket for the hosts.

Resuming Pakistan’s overnight score of 308-8, Nauman Ali (24) and Yasir Shah (38*) scored 70 runs on Day 3 as Pakistan took a 158-runs lead against the visitors.

Pakistan: Abid Ali, Imran Butt (Debut), Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Faheem Ashraf, M Rizwan, Nauman Ali (Debut), Yasir Shah, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi

South Africa: Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Faf Du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Quinton De Kock, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi NGini



source https://www.suchtv.pk/sports/item/104161-yasir-shah-brings-back-pakistan-by-taking-wickets-in-twilight-phase.html