Three killed, several hurt in two UAE restaurant blasts

Three people were killed and several others were injured on Monday in two separate explosions in the United Arab Emirates’ capital Abu Dhabi and its tourism hub Dubai, the police and local media said.

The Abu Dhabi government media office said two people were killed in the blast in the capital, which the National daily reported had hit the KFC and Hardees restaurants on the city’s Rashid bin Saeed Street.

The street is also known as a main road to the airport, where top aides to U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to land later on Monday, in a historic trip between Israel and another Arab country.

The police said the Abu Dhabi incident also caused several minor and moderate injuries, and residents of the building and surrounding areas were evacuated. The Abu Dhabi government media office said the blast was caused by a “misalignment in the gas container fittings following refuelling”.

Photos published on social and local media showed extensive damage to the two restaurants with a white plume of smoke rising from the ground floor of the building.

In Dubai, one person was killed when a gas cylinder exploded in a restaurant early on Monday, local media reported.

Abu Dhabi-owned The National newspaper, quoting a Dubai Civil Defence spokesperson, said the blast in Dubai had caused a blaze that damaged the ground floor of the building. The fire was controlled within 33 minutes, it added.

Turkish Airlines slashes wages to overcome coronavirus but avoids layoffs: union

Turkish Airlines (THYAO.IS) will sharply cut wages of its crews and groundstaff but will avoid layoffs under a union-agreed deal as it seeks to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, a union official said on Monday.

The flagship carrier will cut pilot wages by 50%, cabin crew wages by 35% and other personnel wages by 30%, the Hava-Is union official said. The pay cuts will remain in effect until the end of 2021 but will be reviewed every six months, the official said.

No employees will be furloughed and the company will not use the short labour pay, a government system that provides wage support to employees, the union official said.

Turkish Airlines later confirmed that it had signed a deal with the union but gave no details.

 Read more: Turkish Airlines announced to resume flights to Pakistan ...

Turkey gradually restricted both international and domestic flights starting in February, as the novel coronavirus spread across the globe.

Foreign visitors virtually disappeared in April when a partial lockdown was in place, and have only started to trickle back. Arrivals were down 86% at 932,927 in July compared to last year, tourism ministry data showed.

Turkish Airlines’ revenue in the second quarter of 2020 stood at 6.18 billion lira ($843 million), around a third of 18.67 billion lira in the same period last year.

It recorded a net loss of 2.23 billion lira in the same quarter, compared to a profit of 133 million lira in the previous year.

Apple, Tesla shares pop after stock splits

The high-flying shares of Apple Inc and Tesla Inc rose further on Monday, as investors jumped at the opportunity to own shares at more affordable prices after the companies split their stock.

Apple’s previous stock split was 7-for-1 in 2014 and its fifth since going public in 1980.

Splitting stocks is a way for companies to make it less expensive to buy individual shares although moves by some retail brokerages to offer slices or fractions of shares to smaller investors has made the impact increasingly marginal.

Shares of the Cupertino-California-based company, which have rallied nearly 30% since it announced its surprise 4-for-1 stock split and blockbuster quarterly results on July 30, rose 2.6% to $127.99 on Monday.

The rally helped the iPhone maker overtake Saudi Aramco as the world’s most valuable publicly listed company and become the first publicly listed U.S. company to breach $2 trillion in market capitalization.

Apple shares closed at $499.23 before the split on Friday, up 70% this year.

TESLA IN HOT PURSUIT
The electric carmaker followed suit earlier this month by announcing a 5-for-1 split to portion its richly valued stock into smaller chunks, which also took effect on Monday.

Tesla’s stock has surged more than five-fold this year, while shares of General Motors Co and Ford Motor Co declined on fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shares of Tesla, up 61% since it announced its first-ever stock split in mid-August, closed at $2,213.4 on Friday. They rose 3.2% at $456.90 in early trading on Monday.

Online brokerages Robinhood, Charles Schwab Corp and Fidelity, along with several smaller shops, have begun offering slices of individual shares.

Stock splits have become rare on Wall Street in recent years, with just three S&P 500 members announcing splits in 2020, compared to an average of ten a year over the past decade, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices.

Baltic states hit Lukashenko, other Belarus officials with sanctions

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia imposed travel bans on President Alexander Lukashenko and 29 other Belarusian officials on Monday, signaling impatience with the West’s cautious approach by announcing sanctions without waiting for the rest of the EU.

The three Baltic states have led calls for the West to take firmer measures against Lukashenko, who is accused by opponents and the West of rigging an election to prolong his 26-year rule.

The sanctions, announced simultaneously by the three Baltic countries, target officials that they accuse of vote rigging and playing a role in violence against protesters since the Aug. 9 election. Including Lukashenko himself atop the list was a prod to other European countries, so far reluctant to back measures against him personally.

Lukashenko, an ally of Moscow, denies electoral fraud and has said the protesters are backed from abroad.

“We said that we need peaceful dialogue and agreement between the regime and society, but we see that the regime is not ready for that,” Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said. “We see that we need to move forward and to show an example to other countries.”

The European Union has been working on its own list of individuals in Belarus to target with similar sanctions, expected to exclude Lukashenko. Western countries have mostly been cautious, wary of provoking an intervention from Russia.

The three small Baltic states are all members of the EU and NATO, and Lithuania and Latvia border Belarus. Lithuania has been hosting Belarusian opposition presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who fled there after the election her supporters say she won.

Tsikhanouskaya will speak to the U.N. Security Council on Friday at Estonia’s invitation, her spokesman said.

HUGE DEMONSTRATIONS

Three weeks into a mass demonstration movement that has peaked on the weekends, tens of thousands of protesters again took to the streets in central Minsk on Sunday, seeking to keep up pressure on Lukashenko to resign. At least 140 people were detained, Russia’s RIA news agency reported, citing the Belarusian Interior Ministry.

Lukashenko has threatened to cut off European transit routes across his country in retaliation against any sanctions. Goods from landlocked Belarus account for almost a third of Lithuania’s rail traffic and port volume, and Belarus is also a major overland route for European goods bound for Russia.

Belarus is Russia’s closest ally among former Soviet states, and its territory is integral to Moscow’s European defense strategy. President Vladimir Putin has invited Lukashenko to Moscow, a sign of Kremlin support. The two countries’ foreign ministers will hold talks on Wednesday in Moscow.

Last week, the Kremlin announced it had set up a reserve force able to intervene in Belarus, though it did not see a need for such intervention so far. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov repeated on Monday that Moscow still sees no need for action.

The German foreign ministry said it had summoned the Belarusian ambassador on Monday in response to the detention of foreign journalists in Belarus.

During the three weeks of protests, Lukashenko has lost the support of a range of public figures from writers and actors to sportsmen. The burly former boss of a collective farm, he has taken to appearing on television brandishing a Kalashnikov and calling the protesters “rats”.

On Monday, the Catholic Church in Belarus, which has criticized the harsh treatment of protesters by the security forces, said its head, Tadeush Kondrusevich, had been barred from re-entering the country after a trip to Poland. The border guards declined to comment.

Buffett looks to Japan with $6 billion bet on five biggest trading firms

Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N) has bought a 5% stake in each of Japan’s five biggest trading houses, together worth over $6 billion, marking a departure for Chairman Warren Buffett as he looks beyond the United States to diversify his conglomerate.

The long-term investment in Itochu Corp (8001.T), Marubeni Corp (8002.T), Mitsubishi Corp (8058.T), Mitsui & Co Ltd (8031.T) and Sumitomo Corp (8053.T) could see the stakes rise to 9.9%, Berkshire said on Sunday, Buffett’s 90th birthday.

“The five major trading companies have many joint ventures throughout the world and are likely to have more,” Buffett said in a statement. “I hope that in the future there may be opportunities of mutual benefit.”

The investment will help reduce Berkshire’s dependence on the U.S. economy, which in the last quarter contracted the most in at least 73 years as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. Many of its businesses have struggled, including aircraft parts maker Precision Castparts from which it bore a $9.8 billion writedown.

Buffett’s choice in Japan, however, surprised market players as trading houses have long been far from investor favorites. As well as significant exposure to the energy sector and resource price volatility, tangled business models involving commodities as varied as noodles and rockets have long been a turn-off.

“Their cheap valuation may have been an attraction,” said Norihiro Fujito, chief investment strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities in Tokyo. “But it is un-Buffett-like to buy into all five companies rather than selecting a few.”

BELOW BOOK

Berkshire bought the little-over 5% stakes in about a year through insurance business National Indemnity Co. Together, five 5% stakes were worth 700 billion yen ($6.63 billion), Reuters calculations showed based on Refinitiv data.

Firms’ shares often rise when Buffett discloses investment, reflecting what investors view as his imprimatur. On Monday, Marubeni and Sumitomo ended up over 9%, followed by Mitsubishi and Mitsui at over 7%. Itochu rose 4.2% to a record high.

Berkshire shares were flat in premarket trade.

Even so, Marubeni, Mitsubishi and Sumitomo are still 10% down on the year, versus a 6% fall in the Topix .TOPX index. Itochu, which has shifted towards consumer-related businesses, is the only one whose share price is higher than last year.

Indeed, Itochu is the only one whose stock trades above its book value. That means, for the other four, their market capitalization is less than the value of their assets, making them attractive to a value investor like Buffett.

Several have large amounts of cash on hand, raising their appeal. Mitsubishi, for instance, has seen steady growth in free cash flow per share for four years, Refinitiv data showed.

Trading houses are also deeply involved in the real economy in areas such as steel, shipping, commodities, putting them on the radar of an investor such as Buffett who famously avoids investing in businesses he claims not to understand.

Asked about the investment, Mitsui told Reuters it aims to improve returns for all shareholders. Marubeni and Mitsubishi said they will continue efforts to improve corporate value. Sumitomo said it will communicate with Berkshire as with all other shareholders.

Itochu Chairman Masahiro Okafuji in an emailed statement welcomed Buffett’s interest in Japanese trading house stocks, which he said have lagged global financial markets, adding the investment “will be a catalyst for revitalizing the industry.”

U.S. DEPENDENCE

Berkshire owns more than 90 businesses outright including the BNSF railroad and Geico car insurer outright.

It also invests in dozens of companies including American Express Co (AXP.N), Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) and Coca-Cola Co (KO.N). It has a roughly $125 billion stake in Apple Inc (AAPL.O) based on its holdings as of June 30.

“Buffett’s portfolio is becoming heavily skewed to Apple, so maybe he was looking for something the complete opposite of Apple,” said Monex chief strategist Hiroki Takashi in Tokyo.

Most of Berkshire’s operating businesses are American, though it has acquired a handful of foreign companies including Israel’s IMC International Metalworking and German motorcycle apparel retailer Detlev Louis.

Additional investments in Japan could also help reduce Berkshire’s cash pile, which ended June at a record $146.6 billion.

Pakistan Army continued its relief and rescue operation in Karachi: ISPR

Pakistan Army on Monday continued its relief and rescue operation in Karachi, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

According to a statement issued by the military’s media wing, the Army personnel removed rainwater from underpasses located at Golimar, Golimar and KPT, adding that these underpasses have been reopened for traffic.

However, the dewatering process was continued in various areas inundated with rainwater, read the statement.

The Army personnel were also shifting vehicles trapped in rainwater to safe locations and removing other obstacles from the major thoroughfares in order to ensure smooth flow of traffic in the city.

The ISPR said that 32 medical camps and 56 relief camps were also established with the support of the civil administration.

“Three field medical centres have been established in Qayyumabad, Surjani and Saadi Town, where affected people are provided medical facilities,” it said.

Earlier on August 29, Pakistan Army’s engineers had continued de-watering process at the underpasses in Karachi, clearing rainwater from at least one of them.

According to a press release issued by the ISPR, the dewatering process had been completed at COD underpass at Shahra-e-Faisal while the process to drain water from KPT underpass was ongoing.

The armed forces continue to provide ration, cooked food and other basic commodities to the rain-affectees through its mobile teams, ISPR had said.

Former Indian president Pranab Mukherjee passes away

Ex-Indian president Pranab Mukherjee passed away today at a hospital due to multiple organ failure caused by the coronavirus infection following his recent brain surgery.

The former Indian president’s son Abhijeet Mukherjee made the announcement on Twitter.

Earlier in August, the former Indian president was hospitalised for brain surgery. The doctors proceeded with his surgery despite his diagnosis of COVID-19 prior to admission to the hospital.

According to the Times of India, Mukherjee passed away today after suffering from septic shock caused by the infection.

Following the news, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah also condoled Mukherjee's passing.

 

Karachi: Pak Army, Rangers to take part in anti-encroachment op today

The concerned institutions have finalised preparations to begin a grand anti-encroachment operation on 12 major spots of Karachi which will be participated by teams of Pakistan Army and Rangers.

The latest operation has been planned by the concerned institutions to remove the encroachments near drainage nullahs and rivers which caused a flood-like situation in every monsoon season.

It will be participated by the teams of Pakistan Army, Rangers and representatives of the city administration. According to details, the anti-encroachment officials will begin action from three spots of Gujar Nullah and two areas near Lyari River.

Three areas near Orangi Nullah and two near Malir River will be cleared, whereas, the anti-encroachment officials will also carry out an action on adjacent areas to Mehmoodabad Nullah.

The grand operation will be supervised by concerned deputy commissioners along with teams of law enforcement agencies while additional officials of the anti-encroachment department were also summoned from other parts of Sindh.

For the grand operation, 12 excavators have been summoned to clear around 30 feet wide areas on all nullahs and rivers, whereas, temporary camps will be established for providing shelter to the people residing on encroachments.

NAB chief approves new policy of appointments

Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal on Monday approved a new policy of appointments and transfers in the accountability watchdog.

According to a NAB handout, the BPS-16 or above grade official could remain posted at a station for three years and their stay could be extended upto five years.

However, an appointment for five years at a station would need a proper justification, to be conveyed to the concerned authority. The appointments at NAB Quetta bureau and Gilgit Baltistan would be made for two years.
The appointment at GB would not fall under the domain of the posting at the NAB Rawalpindi.

It is pertinent to mention here that on August 27 National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has submitted new proposed rules to the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC), laying down the role of the accountability watchdog’s chairman in making appointments, arrests, approval of references and other functions.

The fresh rules were framed under section 34 of the NAB law and gave chairman NAB the authority to appoint director generals and directors in the institution.

The chairman NAB will issue guidelines for the arrest of a person accused of corrupt practices and it would be mandatory for all officials to follow them.

The chairman would give a final nod for any reference against the accused and only he would have the authority to decide on it and issue guidelines for the reference.

The reference would be filed a month later after approval from the chairman.

Under the proposed rules, the chairman would have the authority to hire officials on BPS-19 and above grades while Director General Human Resource would make appointments on vacant posts between BPS-16 to BPS-18. Director Human Resource would make appointments on BPS-1 to BPS-15 posts.

Scientists see downsides to top COVID-19 vaccines from Russia, China

High-profile COVID-19 vaccines developed in Russia and China share a potential shortcoming: They are based on a common cold virus that many people have been exposed to, potentially limiting their effectiveness, some experts say.

CanSino Biologics’ vaccine, approved for military use in China, is a modified form of adenovirus type 5, or Ad5. The company is in talks to get emergency approval in several countries before completing large-scale trials, the Wall Street Journal reported last week.

A vaccine developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute, approved in Russia earlier this month despite limited testing, is based on Ad5 and a second less common adenovirus.

“The Ad5 concerns me just because a lot of people have immunity,” said Anna Durbin, a vaccine researcher at Johns Hopkins University. “I’m not sure what their strategy is ... maybe it won’t have 70% efficacy. It might have 40% efficacy, and that’s better than nothing, until something else comes along.”

Vaccines are seen as essential to ending the pandemic that has claimed over 845,000 lives worldwide. Gamaleya has said its two-virus approach will address Ad5 immunity issues.

Both developers have years of experience and approved Ebola vaccines based on Ad5. Neither CanSino nor Gamaleya responded to requests for comment.

Researchers have experimented with Ad5-based vaccines against a variety of infections for decades, but none are widely used. They employ harmless viruses as “vectors” to ferry genes from the target virus – in this case the novel coronavirus - into human cells, prompting an immune response to fight the actual virus.

But many people already have antibodies against Ad5, which could cause the immune system to attack the vector instead of responding to the coronavirus, making these vaccines less effective.

Several researchers have chosen alternative adenoviruses or delivery mechanisms. Oxford University and AstraZeneca based their COVID-19 vaccine on a chimpanzee adenovirus, avoiding the Ad5 issue. Johnson & Johnson’s candidate uses Ad26, a comparatively rare strain.

Dr. Zhou Xing, from Canada’s McMaster University, worked with CanSino on its first Ad5-based vaccine, for tuberculosis, in 2011. His team is developing an inhaled Ad5 COVID-19 vaccine, theorizing it could circumvent pre-existing immunity issues.

“The Oxford vaccine candidate has quite an advantage” over the injected CanSino vaccine, he said.

Xing also worries that high doses of the Ad5 vector in the CanSino vaccine could induce fever, fueling vaccine skepticism.

“I think they will get good immunity in people that don’t have antibodies to the vaccine, but a lot of people do,” said Dr. Hildegund Ertl, director of the Wistar Institute Vaccine Center in Philadelphia.

In China and the United States, about 40% of people have high levels of antibodies from prior Ad5 exposure. In Africa, it could be has high as 80%, experts said.

HIV RISK

Some scientists also worry an Ad5-based vaccine could increase chances of contracting HIV.

In a 2004 trial of a Merck & Co Ad5-based HIV vaccine, people with pre-existing immunity became more, not less, susceptible to the virus that causes AIDS.

Researchers, including top U.S. infectious diseases expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, in a 2015 paper, said the side effect was likely unique to HIV vaccines. But they cautioned that HIV incidence should be monitored during and after trials of all Ad5-based vaccines in at-risk populations.

“I would be worried about the use of those vaccines in any country or any population that was at risk of HIV, and I put our country as one of them,” said Dr. Larry Corey, co-leader of the U.S. Coronavirus Vaccine Prevention Network, who was a lead researcher on the Merck trial.

Gamaleya’s vaccine will be administered in two doses: The first based on Ad26, similar to J&J’s candidate, and the second on Ad5.

Alexander Gintsburg, Gamaleya’s director, has said the two-vector approach addresses the immunity issue. Ertl said it might work well enough in individuals who have been exposed to one of the two adenoviruses.

Many experts expressed skepticism about the Russian vaccine after the government declared its intention to give it to high-risk groups in October without data from large pivotal trials.

“Demonstrating safety and efficacy of a vaccine is very important,” said Dr. Dan Barouch, a Harvard vaccine researcher who helped design J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine. Often, he noted, large-scale trials “do not give the result that is expected or required.”

Three soldiers martyred, four injured in South Waziristan search operation: ISPR

Three soldiers were martyred on Saturday during a search operation by security forces in South Waziristan, the military's media wing said.

According to a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the three soldiers were martyred as terrorists fired at security forces' blocking position during the operation.

The martyred soldiers were identified as Subedar Nadeem, Sepoy Saleem and Lance Naik Musawar.

Four other soliders were also injured.

In June, two soldiers were martyred and one terrorist was killed during an exchange of fire between a patrolling party of the security forces and a group of terrorists.

A statement from the ISPR said that the attack by terrorists took place 5 kilometres southeast of Ghariom near North Waziristan District and South Waziristan District boundary.

"Captain Sabih and Sepoy Naveed embraced shahadat; while two other soldiers sustained injuries during the incident," read the official statement issued by the military's media wing.

Hafeez becomes first male cricketer to score 2,000 runs and take 50 wickets in T20Is

Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez on Sunday added another feather to his cap when he became the first male cricketer in T20I to score 2,000 runs and take 50 wickets in the shortest format of the game.

The 39-year old reached the milestone during Pakistan’s 2nd T20I against England — which was the 89th inning of his career — at Manchester by smashing a six off Saqib Mahmood to reach the 2,000 runs mark.

With already 54 T20I wickets to his name, Hafeez became the first-ever player in T20I to have the double whammy of 2,000 runs and 50 wickets to his name.

However, three women cricketers — Deandra Dottin of West Indies, Sophie Devine of New Zealand and Stafanie Taylor of West Indies — have already achieved the unique double of 50 international wickets and 2,000 international runes in T20 cricket.

Hafeez is only 2nd Pakistani and overall ninth batsman to complete 2,000 runs in international cricket.

The all-rounder has represented Pakistan in 93 T20Is and is one of the most experienced players around the world in the shortest format of the game.

Corona cases in Pakistan rose to 295,849, recovery rate rose to 280,682

The number of confirmed Corona cases in Pakistan rose to 295,849 on Monday after new infections were confirmed in the country.

Total: 295,849

• Sindh: 129,348

• Punjab: 96,769

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 36,044

• Balochistan: 12,869

• Islamabad Capital Territory: 15,625

• Gilgit-Baltistan: 2,896

• AJK: 2,298

Deaths: 6,294

• Punjab: 2,198

• Sindh: 2,401

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 1,250

• Balochistan: 141

• Islamabad Capital Territory: 175

• Gilgit-Baltistan: 67

• AJK: 62

RECOVERED: 280,682

Indian soldiers 'foiled' the Chinese bid to unilaterally change facts

China has rejected Indian accusations that the former's troops crossed the border in Ladakh, saying its forces “never crossed the line of actual control.”

The Indian army had earlier claimed in a statement that Chinese troops carried out military movements over the weekend to change the status quo on a disputed border in a fresh flare-up between the two sides.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian told a news briefing on Monday that both sides were in communication regarding the situation on the ground.

“On the night of 29/30 August 2020, PLA [People's Liberation Army] troops violated the previous consensus arrived at during military and diplomatic engagements during the ongoing standoff in Eastern Ladakh and carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo,” the Indian army had claimed in a statement.

It said Indian soldiers 'foiled' the Chinese bid to “unilaterally change facts on the ground.”

For months, Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a face-off in the western Himalayas where both sides accuse the other of violating the Line of Actual Control, or the de facto border. In June, 20 Indian soldiers were killed during a clash in the Galwan valley, following which the two sides had agreed to pull back.

But despite several rounds of talks, troops remain faced off at other points, including the high altitude Pangong Tso lake, which both countries claim.

The Indian army said the latest flare-up took place along the lake.

“Indian troops pre-empted this PLA activity on the southern bank of Pangong Tso Lake, undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground,” it said.

India and China have not been able to agree on their nearly 3,500 km (2,000 mile) border over which they went to war in 1962. The flare up this summer is the most serious in over half a century.

Military officials of the two countries were holding a meeting at a border point to resolve the latest crisis, the Indian army said.

PM Khan thanked Nation for Peacefully observing Ashura

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday thanked the nation for peacefully observing Ashura, but regretted that some elements had tried to ignite sectarian strife on the occasion.

The premier said he had been informed of "elements who tried to ignite [the] flames of sectarianism" on the sombre occasion.

"I will be taking very tough action against them," he said.

I want to thank our nation for the peaceful observing of Ashura in the country. However, unfortunately, information has come to me of elements who tried to ignite flames of sectarianism on this occasion and I will be taking very tough action against them.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 31, 2020

Youm-e-Ashur, the tenth of Muharram, was observed on Sunday with solemnity and sanctity to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) and his companions who laid down their lives in Karbala.

Processions were taken out in different cities to mourn the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

Majalis were held across the country where ulema highlighted the spiritual and philosophical significance of Karbala and paid tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives on that day.

Strict security arrangements were put in place to thwart any unwanted incident, while standard operating procedures (SOPs) were issued for the mourning processions after consultations with religious scholars to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

BRT Peshawar reopened for public

Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) Peshawar service has been reopened for the public, said spokesperson Trans Peshawar on Monday.

The service which was temporary halted on 9th and 10th Muharram now has been restored for the general public. Residents can travel via BRT service to their desired destinations from 6am to 10pm, said spokesperson.

The spokesman said BRT Peshawar is providing best travel facilities to the citizens of Peshawar and those who came from other areas.

Peshawar was declared among the highly sensitive districts from security perspective during Muharram. Since BRT is the largest project of Peshawar which affects tens of thousands of people, the administration had considered it suitable to close it for two days to avoid any possible security issues.

The long awaited BRT Peshawar project was inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan on August 13 after which a large number of people are travelling in these buses on daily basis.

Apart from a couple of hitches, the service is running smoothly and majority of people using the service are praising it for being inexpensive and having facilities for people, particularly women passengers.

Israeli and U.S. officials to fly to UAE to cement 'normalisation' deal

Top aides to U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fly to the United Arab Emirates on Monday to put the final touches on a pact establishing open relations between the Gulf power and Israel.

Even before discussions start in Abu Dhabi, the delegates will have made aviation history by taking an Israeli commercial airliner - the word “peace” printed in Arabic, English and Hebrew above a cockpit window of the El Al Boeing 737 - directly from Tel Aviv to the UAE capital over Saudi territory.

“That’s what peace for peace looks like,” Netanyahu tweeted, hailing what he termed a historic flight and describing a deal for formal ties with an Arab state that does not entail handover of land that Israel captured in a 1967 war.

Announced on Aug. 13, the ‘normalisation’ deal is the first such accommodation between an Arab country and Israel in more than 20 years and was catalysed largely by shared fears of Iran.

Palestinians were dismayed by the UAE’s move, worried that it would weaken a long-standing pan-Arab position that called for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory - and acceptance of Palestinian statehood - in return for normal relations with Arab countries.

Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and national security adviser Robert O’Brien head the U.S. delegation. The Israeli team is led by O’Brien’s counterpart, Meir Ben-Shabbat. Officials will explore bilateral cooperation in areas such as commerce and tourism, and Israeli defence envoys are due to visit the UAE separately.

Israeli officials hope the two-day trip will produce a date for a Washington signing ceremony, perhaps as early as September, between Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

That could give Trump a foreign policy boost ahead of his re-election bid in November. In Jerusalem on Sunday, Kushner said the deal was a “giant step forward.”

The Trump administration has tried to coax other Sunni Arab countries concerned about Iran to engage with Israel. The most powerful of those, Saudi Arabia, has signalled it is not ready.

But in what could presage a more relaxed posture by Riyadh, the El Al plane on Monday will be allowed to overfly Saudi territory to cut flight time.

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s executive committee, said Kushner and his team were “scrambling to convince as many Arab and Muslim leaders as possible” to give Trump an election boost.

“They will be a prop at the backdrop of a meaningless spectacle for a ridiculous agreement that will not bring peace to the region,” she said.

Met department forecast downpour in Karachi today

The Meteorological Department on Monday forecast rain for Karachi today, after last week's downpour left roads across the city flooded and triggered power outages across the metropolis.

The Met office said that the metropolis — despite the fact that it did not receive any rain last night — could receive moderate to heavy showers by Monday evening or night in certain areas.

The Met department said that the monsoon winds will cause rain in eastern and central Sindh after which they are expected to move towards southern Punjab and the north. These winds are expected to cause heavy rains in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

On the other hand, heavy rains lashed Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, Sukkur and Thatta on Monday, inundating low-lying areas and disrupting power supply as well.

Heavy rains lashed Islamabad, Pakpattan, Sialkot, Chichawatni, Jhelum and Nikail, Azad Kashmir today as well.

Pakistan strongly condemns desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden and Norway

The Foreign Office on Sunday strongly condemned recent incidents in Sweden and Norway in which copies of the Holy Quran were reportedly burnt, saying that "freedom of speech can't justify religious hatred".

In a statement issued on Twitter, FO spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri further said:

"The rise of such Islamophobic occurrences goes against the spirit of any religion."

"Ensuring respect for religious beliefs of others is a collective responsibility and is absolutely critical for global peace and prosperity," Chaudhri added. 

Ensuring respect for religious beliefs of others is a collective responsibility and is absolutely critical for global peace & prosperity. 2/2 @UN @OIC_OCI @OIC_IPHRC

— Spokesperson ?? MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) August 30, 2020

A day earlier, a riot broke out in the southern Swedish town of Malmo, where at least 300 people had gathered to protest against anti-Islam activities, police said.

Protesters were throwing objects at police officers and car tyres had been set on fire, a police spokesman said. Earlier in the day, a copy of the Quran had been burned in Malmo by right-wing extremists.

The demonstrations had escalated in the same place where the Quran had been burned, the spokesman added.

Daily Aftonbladet said several anti-Islam activities had taken place in Malmo on Friday, including three men kicking a copy of the Quran between them in a public square.

Meanwhile, at an anti-Islam protest on Saturday in Oslo, Sweden — held by the far-right group Stop the Islamisation of Norway (SION) — a protester tore out pages of the Quran and spat on them, Anadolu Agency

Various areas of Karachi without electricity for more than 90 hours

Several areas of Karachi remained submerged and without electricity for more than 90 hours after unprecedented rains lashed the city on Thursday.

People took to social media to protest against prolonged power outages as K-Electric, the sole electricity supply company in Karachi, failed to restore power supply in some areas of the metropolis.

Several areas of Karachi including Defence, Clifton, Lyari, SITE area, Orangi, Korangi, Old City Area, Yousuf Goth, Punjab Colony, Maripur Baldia Town, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, Gulberg, Sadar, Jacob Lines and MA Jinnah road remained without electricity since Thursday.

The prolonged power breakdown sparked protests and sit-ins on Sunday in several areas, including in Gulistan-e-Johar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Lyari and Korangi.

Further, Karachi Electric (KE) said that two feeders in DHA’s Phase 4 and Muslim Commercial had been powered up. “Clifton Block 7 and two of the three feeders in Bath Island have also been energised”, the power utility said in a tweet. 

Apart from these, Clifton Block-7 and two feeders out of three in Bath island have also been energized. Earlier, help from local authorities in drainage efforts in Shujaat and Nishat allowed restoration work to proceed faster (2/3)

— KE (@KElectricPk) August 30, 2020

Earlier on Thursday, some 650 feeders of K-electric had tripped after heavy and incessant downpour, suspending power supply across 60 per cent of Karachi.

Due to the low lying topography of various parts of Karachi, the water deluged into K-electric centres paralyzing electric supply to about 60 per cent of the metropolis.

Three soldiers martyred, four injured in South Waziristan search operation: ISPR

Three soldiers were martyred on Saturday during a search operation by security forces in South Waziristan, the military's media wing said.

According to a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the three soldiers were martyred as terrorists fired at security forces' blocking position during the operation.

The martyred soldiers were identified as Subedar Nadeem, Sepoy Saleem and Lance Naik Musawar.

Four other soliders were also injured.

In June, two soldiers were martyred and one terrorist was killed during an exchange of fire between a patrolling party of the security forces and a group of terrorists.

A statement from the ISPR said that the attack by terrorists took place 5 kilometres southeast of Ghariom near North Waziristan District and South Waziristan District boundary.

"Captain Sabih and Sepoy Naveed embraced shahadat; while two other soldiers sustained injuries during the incident," read the official statement issued by the military's media wing.

US drug regulator authorises plasma treatment for coronavirus patients

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Sunday gave approval to doctors to use blood plasma from recovered coronavirus patients as a treatment against the virus.

The move by the American authorities comes as President Donald Trump faces intense pressure to curb the contagion that has hobbled the world's largest economy and clouded his once-promising prospects for re-election in November.

The plasma is believed to contain powerful antibodies that can help fight off the disease faster and help protect people from being seriously hurt by it.

"This product may be effective in treating COVID-19 and... the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks of the product," FDA said in a statement.

While the treatment has already been used on patients in the United States and other nations, the extent of its effectiveness is still debated by experts and some have warned that it could carry side effects.

"Convalescent plasma probably works — though it still needs to be proven in clinical trials — but not as a rescue treatment for people who are already severely ill," said Len Horovitz, a pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Trump faces tough campaign

He said that plasma would likely work much better right after a person was exposed to the virus, when the body is trying to neutralise the infection — the problem being that plasma supplies are limited, meaning it would be difficult to get enough to treat everyone in early stages of the disease.

Trump told reporters the therapy shows "an incredible rate of success" and "will save countless lives", but this went much further than his own health officials´ cautious welcome of the treatment.

Challenged by a reporter to explain the apparent contradiction, Trump passed the question to one of his experts, then ended the press conference.

The FDA already allowed convalescent plasma transfusions for coronavirus patients under certain conditions, such as clinical trials and gravely ill people.

The Washington Post said that over 70,000 virus patients in the US have received such a transfusion.

Trump has been widely criticized for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic in the US, which remains the world leader in infections and fatalities.

He faces a tough re-election battle against Democratic challenger Joe Biden, with no effective treatment or vaccine expected before the vote on November 3.

More rains expected in upper parts of country till Tuesday: Met dept

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted more rains as a strong rainy system is likely to approach the upper parts of the country that will produce widespread rain from tonight to Tuesday.

According to a press release issued by met office on Saturday, heavy to very heavy rainfalls are also expected in Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sargodha, Mianwali, Khushab, Toba Tek Singh from Monday to Wednesday.

Moreover, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur, Khanewal, Zhob and Barkhan will also receive heavy rainfalls from today.

Heavy downpours are also expected in Dir, Swat, Buner, Shangla, Kohistan, Haripur, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Charsadda, Swabi, Mardan, Kohat and Kurram from Monday to Wednesday, the Met Office notified.

It has advised all concerned authorities to remain alert as heavy rainfall may generate urban/flash flooding and will raise the risks of land sliding in vulnerable areas from Monday to Tuesday.

“Flows are expected to increase significantly in rivers, streams and local nullahs,” the press release added.

Hong Kong health workers, activists urge boycott of mass testing

A Hong Kong pro-democracy union of healthcare workers and several activists, including Joshua Wong, called on Sunday for a boycott of the government’s universal coronavirus testing plan, in which medical staff from mainland China are set to assist.

From Tuesday, a 60-strong mainland team is due to conduct tests in the first direct help from China’s health officials for the semi-autonomous city as it battles the pandemic.

But the effort comes at a sensitive time for the former British colony, as anxiety runs high over what many of its 7.5 million residents see as Beijing’s efforts to rein in their freedoms, in particular a national security law imposed in June.

The government has also postponed September’s legislative elections by a year, citing risks to public health and dealing a blow to the pro-democracy opposition camp, which had hoped for a historic majority win after overwhelming success in lower-level elections last year.

The Hospital Authority Employees Alliance, formed during last year’s pro-democracy protests with 20,000 members, said universal testing was not an efficient use of resources and urged focused tests instead.

“It is clear to see that the government has one and only one goal ... to use the pandemic to achieve their own political aims,” its leader Winnie Yu told a joint news conference with activists.

“They shall do whatever they can to please the central government of China, even if it means placing politics above all things else.”

Wong said a full closure of the border would be a better measure than the government plan, adding, “It’s like having a pregnancy test without having birth control.”

The city’s Beijing-backed chief executive, Carrie Lam, has hit back at critics of the initiative, dismissing their attempt to “smear the central government”.

Chinese state media have denounced the critics as ungrateful, while China’s Hong Kong Liaison Office in the financial hub has said in a statement it was “shocking” that people could question the plan.

It comes at a time when new daily infections have fallen substantially, to figures in the single digits or low double digits, from three digits during a surge a few weeks ago. The tally rose to 4,801 with 15 more cases reported on Sunday.

Police also dispersed a protest by dozens of pro-democracy activists in a shopping mall roughly a year since some of the most violent clashes in a metro station in train carriages, citing a virus precaution limiting gatherings to two.

Japan’s Suga to join race to succeed PM Abe

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga will join the race to succeed his boss Shinzo Abe as prime minister, local media said on Sunday, as the competition heats up to succeed Japan’s longest-serving leader.

Suga, a longtime lieutenant of Abe’s in a key supporting role, has denied interest in the top job but attracted attention with a series of interviews, to Reuters and other news organisations, in the days before Abe’s abrupt resignation for health reasons.

A Suga government would extend the fiscal and monetary stimulus that defined Abe’s nearly eight years in office.

Abe’s announcement on Friday, citing a worsening of a chronic illness, set the stage for a leadership election within his Liberal Democratic Party. The LDP president is virtually assured of being prime minister because of the party’s majority in the lower house of parliament.

Suga decided to join the LDP race judging that he should play a leading role, given expectations for his ability to manage crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Japan’s deepest postwar economic dive, Kyodo news agency said, citing an unnamed source.

Calls to Suga’s parliamentary office seeking comment on Sunday went unanswered.

Suga would join such candidates as former foreign minister Fumio Kishida and former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba.

A self-made politician in a country of political dynasties, Suga was chosen by Abe in 2012 for the pivotal role of chief cabinet secretary, acting as top government spokesman, coordinating policies and riding herd on bureaucrats.

“I’m thinking of running in the LDP leadership race. I’d like you to support me,” Suga told LDP secretary-general Toshihiro Nikai in a secret meeting on Saturday, TV Tokyo reported.

It quoted Nikai as replying, “Please do your best,” which it said was a sign of his backing for Suga.

“Everyone wants to be on the winning side, so if Nikai is supporting Suga, they will jump on the bandwagon,” said Koichi Nakano, political science professor at Sophia University.

LDP heavyweights aim to hold a slimmed-down leadership contest around Sept. 13 to 15, public broadcaster NHK said on Sunday.

Nikai and parliamentary affairs chief Hiroshi Moriyama agreed late on Saturday to move quickly to avoid a “political vacuum”, NHK said, without citing any sources for the information.

Usually, a leadership vote is held by LDP members of parliament along with grassroots party members in a month-long process. But in the event of a sudden resignation, an extraordinary vote can be called with participants narrowed to MPs and representatives of the LDP local chapters.

The scaled-down version may disadvantage Ishiba, a longtime Abe critic who promotes boosting regional economies in Japan’s depopulating hinterlands. He is popular with the public but less so among party MPs.

LDP factions will play a dominant role in the election, Sophia’s Nakano said. There might be media criticism that this is not a real contest, which might give Ishiba a bump up, but “not enough to change the momentum,” he said.

 

Indian troops martyr three more Kashmiri youths in Srinagar

Indian troops have martyred three more Kashmiri youths in a brutal late-night operation in Srinagar, raising the number of slain youths in the disputed territory to 10 over the past three days.

According to the Kashmir Media Service, the youths were martyred in a deadly cordon and search operation in the Panthachowk area on the outskirts of Srinagar. Earlier, an Assistant Sub-Inspector of the Special Operation Group of Indian police was also killed in an attack in the same area.

On Saturday, Indian forces martyred three youths during a violent cordon and search operation in occupied Kashmir’s Pulwama district, while four youths were martyred during a similar operation in the Shopian district on Friday.

Also on Saturday, at least 40 people were wounded after Indian forces fired shotgun pellets and tear gas shells at a Muharram procession, injuring dozens of people who had come out despite a ban on religious gatherings, witnesses said.

Indian authorities had reimposed the ban on Thursday after clashes with mourners who wanted to stage traditional processions for during the holy month.

Jafar Ali, a witness, told AFP that the procession started in the Bemina area on the outskirts of Srinagar and that occupation forces were present in heavy numbers.

Ali and other people who witnessed the clashes said security forces fired pellets and tear gas shells to break up the gathering.

“The forces fired pellets at the procession that was mainly peaceful and included women,” said another witness Iqbal Ahmad. At least 40 people were injured, according to witnesses.

About 25 people were taken to a nearby clinic with pellet wounds, some with their faces and bodies covered in pellet marks, a doctor there told AFP on condition of anonymity. “We moved about a dozen people to other facilities for more advanced treatment,” the doctor said.

Hafeez, Babar star as Pakistan set England 196-run target

Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez have propelled Pakistan to 195-4 after put into bat by England in the second T20I at Old Trafford. Babar scored 56 off 44 whereas Hafeez was the standout with the bat, smashing 69 off 36 balls which included five fours and four massive sixes. Pakistan started the innings steadily with Fakhar Zaman opening with Babar, Fakhar (36) was removed by leg-spinner Rashid Khan in the 9th over. They added a 72-run partnership. Later, the 25-year-old Babar reached to his 14tH T20I fifty. He…

Corona cases in Pakistan rose to 295,636, recovery rate rose to 280,547

The number of confirmed Corona cases in Pakistan rose to 295,636 on Sunday after new infections were confirmed in the country.

Total: 295,636

• Sindh: 129,368

• Punjab: 96,741

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 36,017

• Balochistan: 12,842

• Islamabad Capital Territory: 15,611

• Gilgit-Baltistan: 2,863

• AJK: 2,294

Deaths: 6,288

• Punjab: 2,196

• Sindh: 2,398

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 1,250

• Balochistan: 141

• Islamabad Capital Territory: 175

• Gilgit-Baltistan: 67

• AJK: 61

RECOVERED: 280,547

What Do You Want to Know About Cancer?

Cancer is an umbrella term for a large group of diseases caused when abnormal cells divide rapidly, and spread to other tissue and organs. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world.

Cancer Growth and Metastasis

In a healthy body, the trillions of cells it’s made of grow and divide, as the body needs them to function daily. Healthy cells have a specific life cycle, reproducing and dying off in a way that is determined by the type of cell.

New cells take the place of old or damaged cells as they die. Cancer disrupts this process and leads to abnormal growth in cells. It’s caused by changes or mutations in DNA.

DNA exists in the individual genes of every cell. It has instructions that tell the cell what functions to perform and how to grow and divide. Mutations occur frequently in DNA, but usually cells correct these mistakes. When a mistake is not corrected, a cell can become cancerous.

Mutations can cause cells that should be replaced to survive instead of die, and new cells to form when they’re not needed. These extra cells can divide uncontrollably, causing growths called tumors to form.

Tumors can cause a variety of health problems, depending on where they grow in the body.

But not all tumors are cancerous. Benign tumors are noncancerous and do not spread to nearby tissues. Sometimes, they can grow large and cause problems when they press against neighboring organs and tissue. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can invade other parts of the body.

Some cancer cells can also migrate through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to distant areas of the body. This process is called metastasis. Cancers that have metastasized are considered more advanced than those that have not. Metastatic cancers tend to be harder to treat and more fatal.

Types of Cancer

Cancers are named for the area in which they begin and the type of cell they are made of, even if they spread to other parts of the body. For example, a cancer that begins in the lungs and spreads to the liver is still called lung cancer. There are also several clinical terms used for certain general types of cancer:

Carcinoma is a cancer that starts in the skin or the tissues that line other organs

Sarcoma is a cancer of connective tissues such as bones, muscles, cartilage, and blood vessels.

Leukemia is a cancer of bone marrow, which creates blood cells.

Lymphoma and myeloma are cancers of the immune system.

Risk Factors and Treatment

The direct cause of cancer is changes to the DNA in your cells. Genetic mutations can be inherited. They can also occur after

birth as a result of environmental forces. Some of these forces include:

exposure to cancer-causing chemicals, called carcinogens

exposure to radiation

unprotected exposure to the sun

certain viruses, such as human papilloma virus (HPV)

smoking

lifestyle choices, such as type of diet and level of physical activity

Cancer risk tends to increase with age. Some existing health conditions that cause inflammation may also increase your risk of cancer. An

example is ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Knowing the factors that contribute to cancer can help you live a lifestyle that decreases your cancer risks. According to experts, these are the seven best ways to prevent cancer:

Stop using tobacco and avoid secondhand smoke.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Limit your intake of processed meats.

Consider adopting a “Mediterranean diet” that focuses mainly on plant-based foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

Avoid alcohol, or drink in moderation. Moderate drinking is defined as one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than 65, and up to two drinks a day for men 65 years of age and younger.

Keep a healthy weight and stay active by getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.

Stay protected from the sun.

Cover up with clothing, sunglasses, and a hat, and apply sunscreen frequently.

Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.

Stay in the shade as much as possible when you’re outside.

Avoid tanning beds and sunlight, which can damage your skin just as much as the sun.

Get vaccinated against viral infections that can lead to cancer, such as hepatitis B and HPV.

Don’t engage in risky behaviors. Practice safe sex and don’t share needles when using drugs or prescription medications. Only get tattoos at licensed parlors.

See your doctor regularly so they can screen you for various types of cancer. This increases your chances of catching any possible cancers as early as possible.

PDMA issues alert about heavy rains in different parts of KP

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has issued an alert about heavy rains in different parts of the province from this evening till Tuesday.

A letter in this connection has been sent by PDMA to all the Deputy Commissioners of the province to take precautionary measures to avert any human and material loss.

Tourists have also been advised to avoid visiting hilly areas during this period.

People have been asked to contact PDMA on its helpline 1700 in case of any emergency.

Xi says China to step up efforts to fight 'splittism' in Tibet

China must build an “impregnable fortress” to maintain stability in Tibet, protect national unity and educate the masses in the struggle against “splittism”, President Xi Jinping told senior leaders, state media said on Saturday.

China seized control over Tibet in 1950 in what it describes as a “peaceful liberation” that helped the remote Himalayan region throw off its “feudalist” past. But critics, led by exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, say Beijing’s rule amounts to “cultural genocide”.

At a senior Communist Party meeting on Tibet’s future governance, Xi lauded achievements made and praised frontline officials but said more efforts were needed to enrich, rejuvenate and strengthen unity in the region.

Political and ideological education needed to be strengthened in Tibet’s schools in order to “plant the seeds of loving China in the depths of the hearts of every youth”, Xi said in remarks published by state news agency Xinhua.

Pledging to build a “united, prosperous, civilised, harmonious and beautiful new, modern, socialist Tibet”, Xi said China needed to strengthen the role of the Communist Party in the territory and better integrate its ethnic groups.

Tibetan Buddhism also needed to adapt to socialism and to Chinese conditions, he added.

Advocacy group the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) said Xi’s remarks showed Chinese rule still needed to be imposed with an “iron fist”.

In emailed comments, its president, Matteo Mecacci, said, “If Tibetans really benefited as much from Chinese leadership as Xi and other officials claim, then China wouldn’t have to fear separatism and wouldn’t need to subject Tibetans to political re-education.”

China’s policies towards Tibet have come under the spotlight again this year amid worsening ties with the United States.

In July, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States would restrict visas for some Chinese officials involved in blocking diplomatic access to Tibet and engaging in “human rights abuses”, adding that Washington supported “meaningful autonomy” for Tibet.

IT exports recorded at $1.231 billion

Pakistan's Information Technology and IT-enabled Services export remittances comprising of computer services and call center services recorded export of 1.231 billion dollar at a growth rate of 23.71 percent in the financial year 2019-20.

In a tweet the Ministry of IT and Telecom, said, the fiscal year 2019-20 has been a great year for IT & ITeS Export, 1.231 billion rupee has been recorded in IT & ITeS export at a growth rate of 23.71% as compared to the FY 2018-19.

According to performance report of Pakistan Software Export Board, an organization under Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, IT Industry had been a star in Pakistan’s economy and had achieved positive year on year growth as a result of strong government support, skilled entrepreneurs and a talented workforce.

Pakistani leaders send out messages to commemorate youm-e-ashur

Amid foolproof security, Youm-e-Ashur is being marked with solemnity across Pakistan to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) and other martyrs of Karbala.

Ministers, government functionaries, and political leaders have sent out messages to commemorate Youm-e-Ashur, urging people to follow in the footsteps of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) in resisting tyranny, falsehood, and oppression.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted: “Let us draw strength from the legacy of Imam Hussain Ibn e Ali (A.S), the embodiment of bravery and determination in the face of oppression and tyranny. May we learn to meet every challenge ahead with the same fortitude and courage.”

Information and Broadcasting Minister Shibli Faraz said the 10th of Muharram is the day of the victory of truth. “Ashura is a message of resistance against oppression,” he said, adding the deeds and teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain are a beacon of light for Muslims.

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif said: “Mankind will remain indebted to Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) for his supreme sacrifice in the path of truth & justice. His example of patience & trust in Allah in the face of extreme brutality & oppression has been a source of inspiration to the oppressed people around the world!”

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said tyranny and falsehood wherever it may be, whether nearer the home or far away, whether in Kashmir or in Palestine, must be fought and the tyrant’s head put down.

“Torture and enforced disappearances are also a tyranny and the Yom-e-Ashur this year is significant also as it falls on the eve of international day of the disappeared.”

Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar said Karbala is the greatest example of raising voice and rendering sacrifice for truth.

At least 40 injured as Indian forces open fire on Muharram procession in IoK

At least 40 people were wounded after Indian forces fired shotgun pellets and tear gas shells at a Muharram procession in occupied Kashmir, witnesses said.

Indian authorities had reimposed the ban on Thursday after clashes with mourners who wanted to stage traditional processions for during the holy month.

Jafar Ali, a witness, told AFP that the procession started in the Bemina area on the outskirts of the main city of Srinagar and that government forces were present in heavy numbers.

Ali and other people who witnessed the clashes said security forces fired pellets and tear gas shells to break up the gathering.

"The forces fired pellets at the procession that was mainly peaceful and included women," said another witness Iqbal Ahmad.

At least 40 people were injured, according to witnesses.

About 25 people were taken to a nearby clinic with pellet wounds, some with their faces and bodies covered in pellet marks, a doctor there told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"We moved about a dozen people to other facilities for more advanced treatment," the doctor said.

A police official confirmed the incident, saying: "Some people had gathered and were trying to start a procession, they were dispersed." He did not give details of casualties.

Muharram processions to mourn Imam Hussain, the grandson of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) who was martyred in a battle about 1400 years ago at Karbala, are held around the world but have been regularly banned in occupied Kashmir since an uprising erupted in 1989.

The Muslim-majority Himalayan region is largely divided between India and Pakistan, who both claim it in its entirety and have fought two wars over it.

Last year India took away the semi-autonomous status granted to its side of the territory. Tensions have risen since.

Muslims in the procession chanted pro-separatist and an anti-Indian slogans, other witnesses said.

Several arrests have been made this week of people shouting against Indian rule when processions have been attempted, a police official said. Some have been charged under anti-terrorism laws.

Dozens of mourners were detained in Srinagar on Friday after they tried to start Muharram processions.

Passing on knowledge': Azhar Mahmood says happy to help England bowlers

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood says he has no cenerns about coaching England during the ongoing T20 series as he was happy to "pass my experience" regardless of nationality.

Mahmood, 45, appeared in 164 international matches for Pakistan and was their bowling coach under Mickey Arthur before a new regime led by former captain Misbah-ul-Haq was installed last year after a disappointing World Cup.

Now Mahmood, who knows many of the England coaching staff from his time in county cricket, has been brought in as a bowling consultant by the hosts for the three-match T20 series in Manchester.

"Cricket has given me a lot," Mahmood told AFP in a telephone interview on Saturday. "Now I want to pass on my experience — it doesn't matter whether a player is from England or Pakistan or wherever."

Mahmood, criticised within Pakistan for his England role, said his situation was no different from the one he often found himself in as an in-demand all-rounder.

"I'm a professional, I've played in leagues with different teams," he explained. "I know my role."

England head coach Chris Silverwood has handed over the reins for the series to assistant Graham Thorpe, a former England batsman who played alongside Mahmood at Surrey.

Another England connection is with white-ball captain Eoin Morgan — he was with Mahmood when the former Pakistan international was coaching Karachi in the Pakistan Super League.

"They have seen my ability working with players," Mahmood said. "Eoin Morgan told me 'we know your skills'. They are a really great bunch of people, the England coaching staff, and this is a great opportunity for me."

With 50-over world champions England so far maintaining separate red and white-ball squads in a season compressed by the coronavirus outbreak, they are without frontline bowlers such as Chris Woakes and Jofra Archer for the Pakistan T20s.

That means more opportunities for young pacemen including Saqib Mahmood and Tom Curran, although they did not bowl during Friday's weather-curtailed match at Old Trafford, which ended with no result.

Mahmood, a BBC television analyst during Pakistan's 1-0 loss to England in a Test series earlier this month, believes it is his experience of working with youthful quicks, as much as any inside knowledge, that may have led England to invite him to join their set-up.

Grown up in my hands
"Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir and now Shaheen Shah Afridi — they have all grown up in my hands," Mahmood said of his role in developing three pacemen who are all in Pakistan's T20 squad.

"They [England] have seen my ability."

Mahmood said he was especially proud of the part he played in helping Pakistan win the 2017 Champions Trophy and in a nine-wicket victory over England in the first Test at Lord's the following year.

"I was glad to help them win the Champions Trophy and that Test at Lord's with a young attack — we achieved a lot in a short period of time," he recalled.

South African coach Arthur, now in charge of Sri Lanka, said he was disappointed by the way his three-year spell in charge ended after New Zealand pipped Pakistan to a last-four spot at last year's World Cup on net run-rate.

But Mahmood knew what was coming.

"I wasn't sad," he said. "The PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) had asked me to extend my contract until the World Cup.

"When we didn't get to the semi-finals, I knew from my own experience as a player at the 2003 World Cup that whenever you don't win something, or at least get to the knockout stages, someone was going to go — be it players or coaches. This is how it is in Pakistan."

Debt burden on Pakistan increased, the economy was severely affected

Finance ministry on Saturday said that the debt burden on the economy has reached upto 87.2 percent, terming the rise mainly due to the impact of coronavirus on the economy.

A spokesman for the ministry said that the debt burden on the economy stood at 86.1 percent in June 2019 and witnessed an improvement of two percent by December 2019 to reach 84 percent.

The coronavirus impacted the economy, he said after the debt witnessed a three percent increase from December 2019 to June 2020.

We had lowered our expenditure in February 2020 and even tackled the current account deficit before the pandemic hit the country, the spokesman said adding that the COVID-19 changed the fiscal position since then.

Besides, remittances suffering a huge blow owing to coronavirus, the growth rate also sustained a setback due to the pandemic, the finance ministry official said.

He said that the government was committed to bring down the percentage of debt burden on the economy. “We are strictly following a financial discipline for this purpose,” the spokesman said.

It is pertinent to mention here that Finance Ministry on July 28 issued the monthly economic outlook of the country for July 2020, showing a decline in exports and imports of the country during the previous fiscal year 2019-20.

According to the finance ministry, the exports have witnessed a 7.2 percent decline in the previous year and stood at United States Dollar 22.5 billion.

Imports also witnessed a decline of 18.2 percent and stood at Rs US$42.4 billion, the report highlighted showcasing a trade deficit of 27.9 percent at US$19.9 billion.

The workers’ remittance surged to US$23.1 billion, witnessing a 6.4 percent raise. The current account deficit remained at US$3 billion, showing a decline of 77.9 percent, showed the economic outlook report.a

Pakistan strongly condemns extra-judicial killing of Kashmiris

Pakistan has strongly condemned the extra-judicial killing of four more Kashmiris in staged encounter in Shopian region of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the restrictions on religious processions and gatherings during Muharram.

In a statement, the Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhry said nearly three hundred innocent Kashmiris, including women and children, have been martyred by the Indian occupation forces in fake encounters, and so-called “cordon and search” operations during the last one year.

He said that the Indian inhuman methods to subjugate the Kashmiri people through killings, torture, forced disappearances and incarcerations have failed in the past and would not succeed in the future too.

The Spokesperson said the perpetuation of India’s state-terrorism cannot break the will of the Kashmiris or quell their efforts to secure their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

He urged the international community to hold India accountable for its serious crimes against the Kashmiri people.

Sindh Govt declares 20 districts as Calamity Affected Areas

Sindh government has declared twenty districts of the province as "Calamity Affected Areas".

According to the notification issued by Relief Commissioner Sindh, the heavy rainfall during Monsoon caused losses to human lives and property in various districts of the province.

The Deputy Commissioners of the affected districts will immediately conduct survey to assess losses for compensation.

According to the notification, Karachi south, west, east, central, Korangi, Malir, Hyderabad, Badin, Thatta, Sajawal, Jamshoro, Tando Mohammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Dadu, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tharparker, Shaheed Benazirabad and Sanghar have been declared calamity hit.

Ashura Day is being celebrated with respect across the country

Youm-e-Ashur, the tenth of Muharram, is being observed today with solemnity and sanctity to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) and his companions who laid down their lives in Karbala.

Processions will be taken out in different cities to mourn the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

Majalis will be held across the country where ulema will highlighting the philosophy of Karbala and pay tributes to the martyrs.

Strict security arrangements have been put in place to thwart off any unwanted incident, while Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been issued for the mourning processions after consultations with the religious scholars to stem the spread of coronavirus.

The day will start with special prayers at mosques and imambargahs while all markets and business centres will remain closed on the occasion of Ashura.

Sacrifice of Imam Hussain (A.S), his companions guiding principle for Muslims: President Alvi, PM Imran

In their message on the occasion of Yaum-e-Ashur, President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan said the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) and his companions is, in fact, a guiding principle for the Muslims which taught them to sacrifice everything during the struggle for truth.

President Alvi said the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) was, in fact, the victory of truth, and symbol of steadfastness against oppression and a glorious example of sacrifice.

The president urged the countrymen to pledge to take every step for the victory of truth, promotion of justice, adherence to Islamic values, and for national progress and prosperity.

PM Imran in his message said the battle of Karbala fought between truth and falsehood has made it clear that the real success and steadfastness is the passion to sacrifice everything for revival and promotion of Islamic values.

Paying tribute to the sacrifice of Kashmiri people, he said they have kept the teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) alive and just like Karbala, they also made Kashmir an example of the battle between truth and falsehood.

Sacrifice of Imam Hussain (RA), his companions guiding principle for Muslims: President, PM

In their separate messages, on the occasion of Youm-e-Ashur, President Dr Arif Alvi and the Prime Minister Imran Khan have said sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions is in fact a guiding principle for the Muslims which taught them to sacrifice everything during the struggle for truth.

The President Dr Arif Alvi, in his message, said the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) was in fact the victory of truth, and symbol of steadfastness against oppression and a glorious example of sacrifice.

He said that the sacrifice of Imam Hussain gave Muslims a lesson that one should not evade even sacrificing his life while fighting against the evil forces.

The President urged the countrymen to make a pledge to take every step for victory of truth, promotion of justice, adherence to Islamic values, and for national progress and prosperity.

The Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his message, said the historic battler of Karbala fought between truth and falsehood has made it clear that the real success and steadfastness is the passion to sacrifice everything for revival and promotion of Islamic values.

Paying tribute to the sacrifice of Kashmiri people, he said they have kept the teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) alive and just like Karbala, they also made Kashmir an example of battle between truth and falsehood.

The Prime Minister also appealed the countrymen to adhere to the SOPs of Covid-19 during Muharram rituals.