ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (APP):Users of popular social media messaging application WhatsApp were able to send and receive messages after a brief suspension in Pakistan and several other countries of the world.
Twitter users had complained of the application for not functioning.
Apart from Pakistan, there reports that WhatsApp was not working for users in the UK, Singapore, India, Middle East and Ukraine.
Similar outages were experienced in May 2017 and on New Year’s Eve in 2015.
Channel NewsAsia reported that in a notice under the “Help” section of the mobile application, it said: “Our service is experiencing a problem right now. We are working on it and hope to restore the functionality shortly.”
WhatsApp restored after brief suspension
BISP-World Bank discuss new interventions for welfare of beneficiaries
ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (APP):Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) empowered women financially and politically by introducing the pre-condition of having valid CNICs to be eligibles under it financial assistance programme.
It is imperative that the conditions of birth registration forms, vaccination and steps against malnutrition may be put in place for Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) programme to bring health revolution and to curb menace of malnutrition, stunting and low IQ levels among beneficiary children.
This was stated by Minister of State and Chairperson BISP MNA Marvi Memon during a meeting with a team of World Bank, the development partner of BISP, led by Stefano Paternostro Practice Manager, Social Protection and Jobs, South Asia Region at BISP headquarters today.
Other participants of the meeting included Secretary BISP Omar Hamid Khan, Iftikhar Malik, Amjad Zafar Khan Senior Social Protection Specialist, Yoonyoung Cho Senior Economist, Syed Amer Ahmed, Senior Economist, Ali Qureshi from World Bank and senior officials of BISP.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the progress of various ongoing initiatives of BISP and the design and implementation of new interventions aimed at expanding the scope of the programme for the welfare of BISP beneficiaries.
During the meeting, BISP team gave briefing on national Roll out of BISP resurvey for National Socio Economic Registry (NSER) update, enrollment of 1.7 million children in primary schools in 32 districts under Waseela-e-Taleem and plan for its expansion to 18 more districts in March 2018, conversion of payment mechanism to Biometric Verification System (BVS) in 43 districts and plans of countrywide conversion to BVS.
Secretary BISP highlighted the importance of Graduation strategy and reiterated that it was high time for BISP to adopt a Graduation model so that beneficiaries may be pulled out of poverty by making them self sufficient through skill development and entrepreneurship. He pointed out that two Graduation models were under consideration which included ADB funded Models and Harvard-MIT-LSC Model. ADB funded Models included Comprehensive Coaching Model and Inclusive Business Model while Direct Cash Transfer Model was part of Harvard-MIT-LSC Model.
Stefano Paternostro appreciated the progress of BISP initiatives and stated that BISP is one of the priority programs of World Bank and they were very keen on to expand the social protection agenda in Pakistan for the welfare of the underprivileged.
He assured that World Bank, being development partner of BISP and having global experience of social protection, would continue providing assistance and expertise in the progress of ongoing initiatives and in the design and implementation of new interventions.
Cholera cases in crisis-torn Yemen near 900,000 – UN
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 3 (APP):While struggling to cope with a dire humanitarian crisis, war-torn Yemen is now facing the fastest-growing cholera epidemic ever recorded, with some 895,000 suspected cases as of 1 November, the United Nations relief wing reported Friday.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that nearly half suspected cases are
children. Overall, there have been nearly 2,200 associated deaths since 27 April.
The outbreak is affecting over 90 per cent of districts across 21 of the country’s 22 governorates, OCHA said.
Despite the enormous challenges, humanitarian partners have established 234 Diarrhoea Treatment Centres and
1,084 Oral Rehydration Corners in 225 affected districts in 20 governorates, according to OCHA.
Some 3.6 million people have been connected to disinfected water supply networks in 12 governorates. Over 17
million people in all governorates were reached with cholera prevention messages.
OCHA warned today that Yemen is also facing the world’s largest food emergency and widespread population
displacement. After more than two years of war, nearly 21 million people need urgent humanitarian assistance,
seven million of whom are severely food insecure, staving off the threat of famine.
Despite challenging conditions and limited funding, the UN and its humanitarian partners provided direct assistance
to more than seven million people this year.
“The humanitarian response to the world’s worst hunger crisis and its worst cholera outbreak must be fully resourced”,
UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock during his recent mission to Yemen. “With only two months left in the
year, the UN Humanitarian Response Plan is only 56 per cent funded. I know that we can do more.”
Against that background, he called on donors to step up their support to the Response Plan to ensure the most effective
and coordinated response across the country.
“Across the country, and on both sides of the frontline, Yemenis are being kept alive by brave humanitarian aid workers, working under extremely difficult conditions,” said Lowcock, who is also the UN Under-Secretary-General for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, stressing that while relief workers “are able to be effective because we remain
impartial, neutral and independent – we need to do more – and we need more support.”
Yemen has been torn apart by conflict since 2014, when Houthi rebels, allied with troops loyal to former President Ali
Abdullah Saleh, captured much of the country, including the capital, Sanaa.
Comprehesive programme devised to promote calligraphy art
ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (APP):Advisor to Prime Minister, National History and Literary Heritage (NHLH) Division, Irfan Siddiqui Friday said the division has chalked out a comprehensive programme for encouragement of the young calligraphers to pursue this field and achieve excellence.
Under this programme, a competition of Calligraphy will soon be arranged at national level, he said while speaking to Serena Hotel, South and Central Asian Chief Executive Officer,Aziz Bolani in a meeting held at Advisor’s office.
Aziz Bolani offered all possible support for the noble cause of promoting the Islamic art of calligraphy and said, “It will be a matter of great pride to have collaboration with NH&LH Division for promotion of calligraphy art among younger generation”.
Advisor to Prime Minister, Irfan Siddiqui thanked Aziz Bolani for his support and said promotion of fine arts through public private partnership can yield positive results in efforts to project national identity of Pakistan.
The NH&LH Division is taking steps for rejuvenating the field of calligraphy with special focus which will ultimately benefit the young aspiring artists, Advisor to PM stated.
Rafique rejects impression of Sharif’ family running away from court
ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (APP):Federal Minister for Railways, Saad Rafique Friday dispelled the impression that Sharif family is shying away from the courts and said it always respected the national institutions.
Speaking to media outside accountability court premises, Saad said the former Prime Minister just talks about fair trail and he is not among those who run away from the accountability process.
Nawaz Sharif and family are appearing in courts despite illness of Begum Kalsoom Nawaz and false allegations leveled against them, he added.
Saad said : “No proof of money laundering was presented against Sharif Family in months-long investigations and we are appearing before the courts despite reservations.”
He said PML-N was ready to strive for democratic struggle and would protect people’s right to rule adding Nawaz Sharif had always cherished democracy and he did struggle for restoration of democracy in the country.
Saad Rafique said that this was not new for Sharif family as they have also been facing such challenges in the past.
“PML leader Nawaz Sharif is the one who eliminated terrorism from the country and improved the economic situation” he added.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said those hatching conspiracies against the government would not succeed in any way.
Tariq Fazal said it was unprecedented that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was appearing before the courts just to ensure respect for the law.
To a question, he said Begum Kalsoom Nawaz’s health is better now and inshAllah she will fully recover soon.
Pakistani diplomat urges more student exchanges between US, Pak educational institutions
CHICAGO, Nov 3 (APP):A senior Pakistani diplomat has stressed the need for stepping up exchange of students as part of efforts to further strengthen US-Pakistan relations.
Speaking at a dinner of Fulbright Pakistan Seminar in the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin, Consul General Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, urged Pakistani students to work hard in pursuing their studies here and take their expertise back home.
Daniel Rosenblum, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Press and Public Diplomacy and Regional Affairs Bureau for South and Central Asian Affairs of State Department, was among those present.
Tirmizi appreciated the university’s role for mentoring the young generation around the globe, and expressed thanks for holding the Pakistan Seminar.
The University of Wisconsin, Madison, is one of America’s top public universities capable of providing a collegiate experience comparable with the Ivy League.
Around 177 Pakistani Fulbright students are currently enrolled in top Universities in United States in the field of natural and applied sciences, representing the highest number from any country in the US.
Tirmizi expressed satisfaction over the fact that 55% of Pakistani Fulbright students are women hailing from all the four provinces as well as FATA and Northern areas.
He said that government of Pakistan has agreed to contribute US$ 5 million a year to this programme for the next five years.
Pak team’s dressing room environment very good: Sarfraz
ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (APP):Pakistani skipper Sarfraz Ahmed has said that the dressing room environment of the national team is extremely good as every player has the hunger to win and make country’s name proud.
Sarfraz, who led the national team to victory in the high-profile Champions Trophy this year, said every individual player is working hard to perform well and as a result players are giving each other good competition in the team.
“The future of the team is very bright and every player desires to take Pakistan team to victory through his performance,” he said while talking to a private news channel.
Responding to a question, he said he has very good understanding with Coach Mickey Arthur and chief selector Inzamam ul Haq.
“The coach is working hard on the players and hopefully his hard work is paying off well,” he said.
Sarfraz, under whose captaincy Pakistan clean sweep Sri Lanka in the ODI and Twenty20 series, said Inzaman gives top priority to his say and supports him all the way.
Speaking about Pakistan’s upcoming tour to New Zealand, he said though conditions in New Zealand would be tough but we have planned in going there prior to the series to play practice matches in order to get known to the conditions.
Talking about him playing at No. 6 in batting order, Sarfraz said there are many talented players in the team and we should benefit from their playing in the top order.
“Shoaib Malik, Muhammad Hafeez and youngster Babar Azam have been performing tremendously well in the top order,” he said.
He also praised Pakistan Army, Pakistan Police, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and all those whose efforts helped in reviving international cricket in the country.
He also lauded reports regarding hosting the next Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Lahore saying it would be great to play in front of his home crowd.
Photo exhibition Tohoku- “through the eyes of photographers” to start from Nov 8
Islamabad, November 3, (APP):The Japan Foundation Embassy of Japan in Pakistan and Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) would organize an exhibition of photo panels “Tohoku- Through the Eyes of Photographers” from November 8.
Tohoku is a region in the northeastern part of the island of Honshu and is divided into six perfectures; Aomori, Iwate, Akita, Yamagata, Miyagi and Fukshima.
A devastating, earthquake destroyed the Tohoku region in 2011. This exhibition does not attempt to show the destruction or restoration of the area but it aims to enhance the understanding of culture, climate and life in Tohoku and to display astonishing aspects of Tohoku and the people who live there.
All the photographs displayed in the exhibition are curated by Kotaro Lizawa, who is recognized as the leading expert of photography critics in Japan. This exhibition is composed of the works of nine individual photographers and one photographers group. The Photographers are all from Tohoku region yet all posses different stylistic tendencies and belong to different age groups, this representing the past, present and future.
The photographers whose work is displayed in this exhibition are ;Teisuke Chiba (1917-65), Ichiro Kojima (1924-64), Hideo Haga (1921-) Naoya Hatakeyama (1958), Meiki Lin (1969) Masaru Tatsuki (1974) Sendai Collection, Nao Tsuda (1976) and The photographer society.
Lok Virsa to organise two-day “Lok Mela” in Karachi from Nov 11
Islamabad, Nov 3 (APP)::The Lok Virsa would organise a two-day folk festival known as ‘Lok Mela’ in Karachi from Nov 11 at Karachi Arts Council
(KAC) to promote cultural diversity of the country.
Executive Director Lok Virsa, Dr Fouzia Saeed told APP that Lok Mela aims at promoting, perpetuating and preserving arts, crafts, culture, folk music and traditional skills of the country.
She said ” this unique event had now become a symbol of the federation and patronage to our rich cultural diversity with the active participation of the people”.The central focus of Lok Mela was the rural areas of the country, she added.
She said the direct beneficiaries would be artisans, folk artists, musicians and other performers from the rural and remote areas.
Dr Fouzia said that first time in the history of Lok Virsa, it is being held in another city.
The daily attractions of the festival include provincial pavilions depicting various cultural themes, Lok Virsa pavilion, cultural food stalls, folk dances, folk music, shopping mall, kid’s corner, concerts in open air theatre and several others.
Craft of the Month, with the purpose to promote traditional skills and inculcate knowledge in the younger generation about the craft heritage of Pakistan, is one of the popular programme series organised by Lok Virsa .
An exotic craft bazaar featuring score of tastefully decorated pavilions offering a variety of knick-knacks, antiques, craft items and cultural materials will also be set up.
Pakistani traditional cuisines will also be arranged in the festival.
The festival will culminate with a colourful ceremony on Nov 12.
Twentysix children die each day in Afghanistan from Diarrhoea-related diseases: UNICEF
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 3 (APP):Although the number of children under five years dying from diarrhoea each year in Afghanistan has dropped below 10,000 for the first time, the disease still claims the lives of 9,500 children, or 26 each day, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said Friday.
“Deaths from diarrhoea are particularly tragic because in most cases, they can be easily avoided,” Adele Khodr, UNICEF Afghanistan Representative, said. “Using a toilet and washing your hands is literally a matter of life or death.”
Diarrhoea-related deaths account for around 12 per cent of the 80,000 deaths of children under the age of five that occur annually in Afghanistan, the agency said.
The risks associated with diarrhoeal infections are exacerbated in the country, where some 1.2 million children are already malnourished and 41 per cent of children are stunted, it said. Poor sanitation and hygiene compound malnutrition, leaving children more susceptible to infections that cause diarrhoea, which in turn worsens malnutrition.
Providing access to safe water and improved sanitation facilities in villages and towns across the country is critical, Ms. Khodr said, adding that community-led efforts to improve hygiene practices are the simple and most effective way to save lives.
While insecurity continues to affect humanitarian access to parts of the country and slows development, there is still progress, UNICEF said. The district of Nili, in Daykundi province, central Afghanistan, was declared as the country’s first ˜open defecation free district” at a ceremony on 1 November.
Towns and villages across Nili took on the community-led approach in which families identify areas around their homes that are used as toilets. Through a combination of shock, shame, pride and disgust, families without a toilet decide to build their latrine.
Community-wide commitment and some peer pressure does the rest and typically after three to six months an entire community has given up defecating in the open, contributing to a healthier environment for everyone, it said.