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Sunday, 26 May 2013

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Vesak Day observed at UN to honour Buddha; Pakistan pays tributes -

UNITED NATIONS, May 25 (APP): Speakers at function marking “Vesak Day” that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha paid high tributes to the spiritual leader’s teaching on the need for compassion and solidarity with those less fortunate. They also highlighted Buddha’s message of peace and tolerance, with Pakistan UN Ambassador Masood Khan calling for resolving conflicts and disputes justly; and addressing the root causes of strife and hostilities.

Chinese enthralled over unique escort of Premier Li aircraft by JF-17 Thunder -

BEIJING, May 25 (APP): It was a unique and impressive show for the common Chinese people when they enthralled to see, a formation of six Jf-17 Thunder aircraft escorting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Jumbo plane as it entered into Pakistan’s airspace on May 22 to start his official visit. After China Central Television broadcast footage of the JF-17s escorting Li’s plane and of the premier waving to Pakistani pilots, many Chinese netizens said in online comments that the selection of the JF-17 Thunder symbolizes the two nations’ close relationship in the defense sector.

UN rights expert welcomes shift in Obama’s counter-terrorism policy -

UNITED NATIONS, May 25 (APP): A U.N. human rights expert Friday welcomed what he called was a ground-breaking speech by President Barack Obama in which the U.S. leader laid out principles governing the use of counter-terrorism measures such as targeted killings. President Obama said Thursday that, as part of a realignment of US counter-terrorism policy, he would curtail the use of drones, recommit to closing the prison at Guant¡namo Bay, Cuba, and seek new limits on his own war power. The new policy guidance imposes tougher standards for when drone strikes can be authorized, limiting them to targets that pose “a continuing, imminent threat to Americans” and cannot feasibly be captured, according to media reports.

Prof. Akbar Ahmed’s new book wins praise -

NEW YORK, May 25 (APP): Scholars and diplomats expressed appreciation for Professor Akbar Ahmed’s newest book that sheds light on ongoing conflicts in the tribal regions and America’s drone campaign as the acclaimed author introduced his research work to audiences in New York. Dr. Ahmed, the former Pakistani High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at Washington’s American University, delivered the inaugural annual lecture to the American Friends of the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, at New York University.

UN slams attack on partner agency’s compound in Kabul -

UNITED NATIONS, May 24 (APP): The top U.N.official in Afghanistan strongly condemned the “terrorist attack” on a compound of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Kabul that earlier Friday wounded three of the agency’s staff, one seriously. One staff member from the UN International Labour Organization (ILO) was also injured, according to a statement issued by Jan Kubis, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

Sport News

Army, WAPDA continue dominance in 45th National Athletics C’ship

ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): Pakistan Army continued their dominance in men’s events and WAPDA in women events on the second day of 45th National Athletics Championship here at Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex. Army was leading on points table in men’s events with a total of 273 points after having clinched nine gold, ten silver and five bronze medals. WAPDA was second with 118 points as its athletes bagged three gold, one silver and five bronze medals. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was on number three with 67 points,

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People laud PM’s announcement to end DST

ISLAMABAD, Mar 26 (APP): A large cross section of people on Friday lauded the decision of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani to do away with Day Light-saving Time (DST), terming it a wise decision.The implementation of DST in the country has never been a success despite similar attempts in 2002 and 2009 as the vast majority of people ignored it by continuing with their normal lives, without changing time of their clocks.

Only the government workers, banks, airlines and educational institutions adhered to it, creating confusion among the masses who see it as “something abnormal”.
Prime Minister Gilani told the National Assembly on Friday that the government would honour the view of House and would not move the clock forward from April 1.
The government last year decided to move the clock forward by one hour from April 1 till October 31 in a bid to lessen power usage.
Sultan Ahmed Chawla, President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) is also of the view that the DST does not provide any benefit to their businesses.
“On the contrary, it unsettles the normal civil and business life of the people ... millions of school and college going students who use public transport, will suffer ... prayer and Ramazan timings are thrown into total disarray leading to utter confusion,” he said.
According to a study conducted by the Center for the Study of Energy Markets (CSEM) under the University of California Energy Institute, “The DST results in a 1-percent overall increase in residential electricity demand.”
The paper published in November 2008 made more than 7 million observations on monthly billing data for vast majority of households in southern Indiana for three years and questioned the rationale behind the DST.
“Why doesn’t the government change the timings of government offices and schools?” questioned Mohammad Azam, an employee of a private bank as he pointed at the common man who continues to fumble with his watch trying to figure out whether it is the “naya-time or purana-time” (new time, old time).
The decades old concept of DST gradually picked up popularity particularly in countries that witness huge difference in the daylight time during summers and winters. However the idea did not gain much credence in countries closer to the equator, said Ms Tanya Mirza, a research student at a private university.
Apart from the heavy cost of changing time across the country in the banking, airlines, stock exchanges, communications and IT industry, the shifting of time also has a huge psychological impact.
Though the Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf believes that the energy saved through DST last year was 250 MW, however many times more electricity can be saved if the government forces the markets and shopping malls to close by 7 pm, according to a senior official of Pepco.

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