Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly resigned and fled the country in the face of ongoing protests, Al Jazeera reported on…
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly resigned and fled the country in the face of ongoing protests, Al Jazeera reported on…
WASHINGTON DC, August 4: US Central Command's General Michael Kurilla arrived in the region on Saturday amid preparations for a possible attack by Iran on Israel in response to the recent killings of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, US-based news website Axios reported, citing two US…
NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed…
TEHRAN: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian died in a helicopter crash, state-run IRIB TV reported…
A helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi was involved in "an accident" in poor weather conditions on Sunday, state media reported, with a search underway and no news yet on his…
Islamabad: :Amid the staggering economic crisis in the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced to privatise all state-owned enterprises except for strategically important entities, ARY News…
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) + oil producers on Sunday announced cuts of oil production by around 1.16 million barrels per day to stop oil prices from falling in the…
The way in which AI tools like ChatGPT are advancing would not be too surprising if most human jobs are replaced by AI tools. Now a report by Goldman Sachs has claimed that ChatGPT and the other AI tools could actually replace more than 300 million…
Prices of maize, wheat and rice have dropped throughout the world. Prices of food items such as maize, wheat and rice fell in the two weeks before March 9, according to the World…
Huge amounts of lithium reserves have been found for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir. Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in EV…
Saudi Arabia will offer up to 200,000 jobs to Sri Lankan youths in…
November 27: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide USD 15 million (equivalent to Rs 16.92 billion) loan as development…
November 27: Inspired by the love of perfume, Qatar Duty Free (QDF) and Parfums Christian Dior have launched a Dior Les Parfums Podium at Hamad International Airport…
November 25: The Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal, and the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal hosted the ‘Nepal Talanoa Dialogue’ on November…
November 22: Qatar Airways bagged yet another award as its revolutionary Qsuite was named the ‘Best Business Class’ in the Airline Excellence Awards 2019 organised by AirlineRatings.…
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">WASHINGTON DC, August 4: US Central Command's General Michael Kurilla arrived in the region on Saturday amid preparations for a possible attack by Iran on Israel in response to the recent killings of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, US-based news website Axios reported, citing two US officials. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">General Kurilla's visit, which was planned before the recent escalation between Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah following the killing of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, is now seen as a strategic move. He is expected to mobilise the international and regional coalition that previously defended Israel against an attack from Iran on April 13, Axios reported, citing a US official. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Three US and Israeli officials said that they expect Iran to launch an attack on Israel as early as Monday. Iranian and Hezbollah leaders have pledged to retaliate for the killings of Hezbollah's top military commander, Fuad Shukr, and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to a US official, Kurilla is expected to visit several Gulf nations, including Israel and Jordan. Jordan is a key stop, as it played an important role during the April 13 attack by intercepting Iranian drones bound for Israel and allowing US and Israeli jets to use its airspace for interception. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The official said that the US hopes the same will happen again if needed. The US is boosting its forces in the Middle East in preparation for Iran's possible attack on Israel and sending more warships and fighter jets to the region, the Pentagon said on Friday, according to Axios report. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">US officials expect Iranian retaliation to follow a similar pattern as their previous attack on Israel but may also involve Hezbollah in Lebanon, Axios reported. The US government is concerned that it may be more difficult to mobilise the international and regional cooperation of nations that defended Israel from the previous Iranian attack, as Haniyeh's killing has drawn sharp sentiments against Israel across the region. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">US and Israeli officials said they do not know whether Iran and Hezbollah will carry out a coordinated attack or operate separately. The officials said that they think Iran and Hezbollah are still working on finalising their military plans and giving them approval at the political level. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A US official said the Biden administration wanted to announce the bolstering of US forces on Friday as Iran and Hezbollah were discussing regarding their response with the hope that the announcement will help to deter and influence their military plans. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">When asked on Saturday whether he believes Iran will back down, US President Joe Biden replied, "I hope so. I don't know." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">On July 31, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an attack in Tehran. In a statement, the IRGC said that Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed when their residence was hit in Tehran. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A projectile hit a residence allocated to war veterans in Tehran at 2 am (local time) on Wednesday, according to a Press TV report. Ismail Haniyeh, who was based in Qatar, travelled to Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Iranian President-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a Press TV report. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in the Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Tuesday (local time).The IDF said Shukr was "responsible for the majority of Hezbollah's most advanced weaponry, including precise-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets, and UAVs" and for the terror group's "force build-up, planning, and execution of terror attacks against the State of Israel," The Times of Israel reported. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">On July 30, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his nation has delivered "crushing blows" to enemies in the last few days, CNN reported. He made the remarks hours after the deaths of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. -- ANI/RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-04', 'modified' => '2024-08-04', 'keywords' => 'Israel, Iran, attack, US, general, Kurilla, tensions, middle, east', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21460', 'image' => '20240804011446_PALXUO3RX5HNPBAUYHCNHNOOEQ.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-04 13:13:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21185', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Modi Heads for Victory in India Vote, but no Landslide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed expectations. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed expectations. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Commentators and exit polls had projected an overwhelming victory for Modi, whose campaign wooed the Hindu majority to the worry of the country's 200-million-plus Muslim community, deepening concerns over minority rights. But for the first time in a decade Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could fail to secure an overall majority of its own, figures from the election commission projected, meaning it would need to rely on its alliance partners. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The main opposition Congress party was set to nearly double its parliamentary seats, in a remarkable turnaround largely driven by deals to field single candidates against the BJP's electoral juggernaut. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">With 92 percent of votes counted, the BJP's vote share at 37.1 percent was marginally lower than it was in the last polls in 2019. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi was re-elected to his constituency representing the Hindu holy city of Varanasi by a margin of 152,000 votes -- compared to nearly half a million votes five years ago. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The election commission figures showed the BJP and its allies leading in at least 282 seats out of a total of 543, enough for a parliamentary majority. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">But the BJP itself was only leading in 239, well down on the 303 it won five years ago, while the Congress was ahead in 99, up from 52. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">'Moral defeat' </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Celebrations had already begun at the headquarters of Modi's BJP before the full announcement of results. But the mood at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi was also one of jubilation. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"BJP has failed to win a big majority on its own," Congress lawmaker Rajeev Shukla told reporters. "It's a moral defeat for them." </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Stocks slumped on speculation the reduced majority would hamper the BJP's ability to push through reforms. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shares in the main listed unit of Adani Enterprises -- owned by key Modi ally Gautam Adani -- dropped 25 percent, before recovering. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi's opponents have struggled to counter the BJP's well-oiled and well-funded campaign machine, and have been hamstrung by what they say are politically motivated criminal cases aimed at hobbling challengers. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">US think tank Freedom House said this year that the BJP had "increasingly used government institutions to target political opponents". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of the capital Delhi and a key leader in an alliance formed to compete against Modi, returned to jail on Sunday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Kejriwal, 55, was detained in March over a long-running corruption probe, but was later released and allowed to campaign as long as he returned to custody once voting ended. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"When power becomes dictatorship, then jail becomes a responsibility," Kejriwal said before surrendering himself, vowing to continue "fighting" from behind bars. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">'Strength of Indian democracy' </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Many of India's Muslim minority are increasingly uneasy about their futures and their community's place in the constitutionally secular country. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi himself made several strident comments about Muslims on the campaign trail, referring to them as "infiltrators". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The polls were staggering in their size and logistical complexity, with 642 million voters casting their ballots -- ranging from megacities New Delhi and Mumbai, as well as in sparsely populated forest areas and the high-altitude Himalayas. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"People should know about the strength of Indian democracy," chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar said Monday, calling the counting process "robust". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Based on the commission's figure of an electorate of 968 million, turnout came to 66.3 percent, down roughly one percentage point from 67.4 percent in the last polls in 2019. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Analysts have partly blamed the lower turnout on a searing heatwave across northern India, with temperatures over 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). – AFP/RSS</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-05', 'modified' => '2024-06-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20909', 'image' => '20240605011011_mdi.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-05 13:09:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21035', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Iran's President Raisi, FM die in Helicopter Crash: State TV ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'TEHRAN: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian died in a helicopter crash, state-run IRIB TV reported Monday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">TEHRAN: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian died in a helicopter crash, state-run IRIB TV reported Monday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The helicopter carrying Raisi and other senior officials was forced into a hard landing in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan due to the bad weather on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The other members of Raisi's accompanying team, including East Azarbaijan's Governor Malek Rahmati, and the Friday prayers leader Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ale-Hasehem, as well as the flight crew also lost their lives, the report said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The tragedy occurred while Raisi was on his way from Khoda Afarin County, where he had attended the inauguration ceremony of a storage dam, to the provincial capital Tabriz for the inauguration of a petrochemical complex. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Media reports said images show the helicopter crashed into a mountain peak. State news agency IRNA said Raisi was flying in a U.S.-made Bell 212 helicopter. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Fog and rain had hampered the search operation before rescuers spotted the helicopter earlier in the day. – Xinhua/RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-20', 'modified' => '2024-05-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20762', 'image' => '20240520040139_20240519101630_ebrahim-raisi-1-6850811-1713371489836.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-20 16:01:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21027', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Helicopter Carrying Iran’s President Crashes', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi was involved in "an accident" in poor weather conditions on Sunday, state media reported, with a search underway and no news yet on his condition.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi was involved in "an accident" in poor weather conditions on Sunday, state media reported, with a search underway and no news yet on his condition.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Iranian state media said the crash occurred on Sunday near Jolfa in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Raisi was returning from a visit to neighbouring Azerbaijan, where he had travelled to inaugurate a dam alongside the country’s President Ilham Aliyev, when the incident took place.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">His convoy included three helicopters, and the other two had "reached their destination safely," according to Tasnim news agency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">People who were with the president inside the helicopter managed to make an emergency call, according to the semiofficial Tasnim News Agency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Search and rescue team were headed to the remote mountain area, state media in the Islamic republic reported, adding that Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was also aboard the aircraft.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"The harsh weather conditions and heavy fog have made it difficult for the rescue teams to reach the accident site," state TV said in an on-screen news alert.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">State TV broadcast footage of an Iranian Red Crescent team walking up a slope in thick fog, as well as live footage of crowds of worshippers reciting prayers in the holy Shrine of Imam Reza in the city Mashhad, Raisi's hometown. -- AGENCIES</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-19', 'modified' => '2024-05-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20754', 'image' => '20240519101630_ebrahim-raisi-1-6850811-1713371489836.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-19 22:15:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20988', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Orders Privatisation of All State-Owned Enterprises ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Islamabad: :Amid the staggering economic crisis in the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced to privatise all state-owned enterprises except for strategically important entities, ARY News reported. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Islamabad: :Amid the staggering economic crisis in the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced to privatise all state-owned enterprises except for strategically important entities, ARY News reported. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairing a review meeting on matters related to the Ministry of Privatization and Privatization Commission in Islamabad, the prime minister said apart from strategic state-owned enterprises, all other enterprises, whether profitable or loss-making, will be privatised. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the meeting, the privatisation ministry and the Privatisation Commission presented a roadmap for the Privatisation Program 2024-29, ARY News reported. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">PM Shehbaz said the government had nothing to do with running the businesses but was mandated to facilitate the investors. He viewed that the privatisation of SOEs would save the taxpayers' money to help the government provide quality services to the people. "Government's job is not to do business but to ensure a business and investment-friendly environment," the premier said, ARY News reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">PM Shehbaz Sharif also directed all federal ministries to take necessary action in this regard and cooperate with the Privatization Commission. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He directed to live telecast of Pakistan International Airlines Company Limited's (PIA) privatisation including bidding and other important steps. The process of privatisation of other institutions will also be broadcast live. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">ARY News reported that the meeting was informed about the progress made so far for the privatization of state-owned enterprises. It was informed that the pre-qualification process for PIA privatization is to be completed by the end of this month. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The meeting was told that the privatisation of power distribution companies has been included in the privatisation program 2024-2029. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It was informed that loss-making state-owned enterprises are to be privatized on a priority basis and that a pre-qualified panel of experts is being appointed in the privatization commission to speed up the privatization process. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The meeting was attended by federal ministers Khawaja Asif, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Jam Kamal Khan, Awais Ahmed Leghari, Abdul Aleem Khan, Musaddik Malik and Ahad Khan Cheema, PM's Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal, and relevant senior officers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A day earlier, Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb had directed all concerned ministries and divisions to submit proposals for the categorisation of their respective State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) by May 20. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The categorisation is a part of a comprehensive review of the rationale for retaining commercial functions within the public sector, according to a press release issued by the finance ministry. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Central Monitoring Unit of the Finance Division presented its ongoing work on the compilation of the Federal SOE Annual Financial Report for fiscal year 2023. The DG CMU informed the meeting that the data of all commercial entities has been obtained & collated, while the analytical work was currently underway. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The committee was briefed on the highlights of the performance of SOEs during the reporting period. The minister noted that there were a number of gaps in the governance and financial management of companies that needed to be addressed immediately and directed that the vacancies on the BOD's should be filled without delay, ARY News reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Last Friday, the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCOP) approved 24 state-owned enterprises for the privatisation programme, directing the privatisation ministry to deliberate the phasing of each entity in consultation with the respective ministries. – ANI/RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-15', 'modified' => '2024-05-15', 'keywords' => 'international, Pakistan, privatisation, state, owned, enterprises, airlines, prime, minister, government, business', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20715', 'image' => '20240515122410_pia-pakistan-international-airlines.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-15 12:22:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17442', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'OPEC+ Announces Surprise Oil Output Cuts', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) + oil producers on Sunday announced cuts of oil production by around 1.16 million barrels per day to stop oil prices from falling in the market. ', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">April 4: Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) + oil producers on Sunday announced cuts of oil production by around 1.16 million barrels per day to stop oil prices from falling in the market. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Following the announcement of production cuts, oil prices have surged. The price of Brent crude oil is trading above $84 a barrel after jumping by more than 5%.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Sunday's development comes a day before a virtual meeting of an OPEC+ ministerial panel, which includes Saudi Arabia and Russia, and which had been expected to stick to 2 million bpd of cuts already in place until the end of 2023. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Oil prices soared when Russia invaded Ukraine, but are now back at levels seen before the conflict began.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Responding to the latest cuts, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council said: "We don't think cuts are advisable at this moment given market uncertainty - and we've made that clear."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The reduction in output is being made by members of the Opec+ oil producers. The group accounts for about 40% of all the world's crude oil output.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Saudi Arabia is reducing output by 500,000 barrels per day and Iraq by 211,000. The UAE, Kuwait, Algeria and Oman are also making cuts.The Saudi energy ministry said the kingdom's voluntary reduction was a precautionary measure aimed at supporting the stability of the oil market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Last October, OPEC+ had agreed to an output cut of 2 million bpd from November until the end of the 2023, a move that angered Washington as tighter supply boosts oil prices. (Agencies) </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-03', 'modified' => '2023-04-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17177', 'image' => '20230403044225_collage - 2023-04-03T164051.696.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-03 16:37:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17411', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => '300 Million People Could Lose Jobs to Artificial Intelligence Worldwide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The way in which AI tools like ChatGPT are advancing would not be too surprising if most human jobs are replaced by AI tools. Now a report by Goldman Sachs has claimed that ChatGPT and the other AI tools could actually replace more than 300 million jobs.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"> March 30: The way in which AI tools like ChatGPT are advancing would not be too surprising if most human jobs are replaced by AI tools. Now a report by Goldman Sachs has claimed that ChatGPT and the other AI tools could actually replace more than 300 million jobs. Interestingly, ChatGPT, which has now received an upgraded lamguage model, GPT-4, listed 20 jobs it can replace.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Goldman Sachs economists predicted in a report that 18% of work globally could be computerized, with the effects felt more deeply in advanced economies than emerging markets.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">White-collar workers are seen to be more at risk than manual laborers owing to the use of artificial intelligence. Administrative workers and lawyers are expected to be most affected, the economists said, compared to the “little effect” seen on physically demanding or outdoor occupations, such as construction and repair work.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">In the United States and Europe, approximately two-thirds of current jobs “are exposed to some degree of AI automation,” and up to a quarter of all work could be done by AI completely, the bank estimates.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">If generative technology behind ChatGPT “delivers on its promised capabilities, the labor market could face significant disruption,” the economists wrote. Of late, ChatGPT, the chatbot sensation, has taken the world by storm.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">ChatGPT, which can answer prompts and write essays, has already prompted many businesses to rethink how people should work every day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">This month, its developer unveiled the latest version of the software behind the bot, GPT-4. The platform has quickly impressed early users with its ability to simplify coding, rapidly create a website from a simple sketch and pass exams with high marks.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Further use of such AI will likely lead to job losses, the Goldman Sachs economists wrote. But they noted that technological innovation that initially displaces workers has historically also created employment growth over the long haul.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">While workplaces may shift, widespread adoption of AI could ultimately increase labor productivity — and boost global GDP by 7% annually over a 10-year period, according to Goldman Sachs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“Although the impact of AI on the labor market is likely to be significant, most jobs and industries are only partially exposed to automation and are thus more likely to be complemented rather than substituted by AI,” the economists added.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“Most workers are employed in occupations that are partially exposed to AI automation and, following AI adoption, will likely apply at least some of their freed-up capacity toward productive activities that increase output.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“The combination of significant labor cost savings, new job creation, and a productivity boost for non-displaced workers raises the possibility of a labor productivity boom like those that followed the emergence of earlier general-purpose technologies like the electric motor and personal computer,” researchers stated. (agencies)</span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-30', 'modified' => '2023-03-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17146', 'image' => '20230330034303_collage - 2023-03-30T153721.796.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-30 15:37:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17277', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => ' Prices of Maize, Wheat, Rice Drop Worldwide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Prices of maize, wheat and rice have dropped throughout the world. Prices of food items such as maize, wheat and rice fell in the two weeks before March 9, according to the World Bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"> <br /> March 15: Prices of maize, wheat and rice have dropped throughout the world. Prices of food items such as maize, wheat and rice fell in the two weeks before March 9, according to the World Bank.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Corn prices are down by six percent in the review period, compared to the two weeks ago. Wheat prices have fallen by 7 percent, while the value of the rice is down by two percent. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">During the same period last year, the price of the wheat was cheaper by 15 percent though. Prices of maize and wheat have become dearer by 24 and 7 percent respectively compared to the January of 2021, said the World Bank. Rice, however, has become cheaper by 3 percent.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Prices of agricultural products and food have dropped by 2 and 5 percent respectively compared to the value of two weeks ago. (Agencies) </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-15', 'modified' => '2023-03-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17015', 'image' => '20230315052620_collage - 2023-03-15T162423.447.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-15 17:22:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16989', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Huge Amount of Lithium Reserves Found in Jammu and Kashmir ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Huge amounts of lithium reserves have been found for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir. Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in EV batteries. ', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">India (February 10): Huge amounts of lithium reserves have been found for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir. Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in EV batteries. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">So far, India has depended on Australia and Argentina for lithium imports. The Geological Survey of India found the lithium reserves in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir, India's Ministry of Mines said. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">As much as 5.9m tonnes of the mineral have been discovered in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2021, much smaller deposits of the mineral were found in the southern state of Karnataka.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">"For the first time, lithium reserves have been discovered and that too in Jammu and Kashmir," Mines Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj said. Earlier, the government had said that it was looking to improve its supply of rare metals needed to boost new technologies and was looking for sources in India and abroad.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Around the world the demand for rare metals, including lithium, has increased as countries look to adopt greener solutions to slow down climate change.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Lithium is extracted from hard rocks and underground brine reservoirs largely found in Australia, Chile and Argentina.<br /> After the mineral is mined, it is roasted using fossil fuels, searing the landscape and leaving behind scars. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The extraction process also requires a lot of water and releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. According to the World Bank, mining of crucial minerals will need to increase by 500% to meet global climate targets by 2050.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">However, experts say that the process of mining lithium is not environment-friendly. (Agencies)</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-10', 'modified' => '2023-02-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16727', 'image' => '20230210052100_collage - 2023-02-10T171719.098.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-10 17:15:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16843', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Saudi Arabia to Offer up to 200,000 jobs to Sri Lankans in 2023', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Saudi Arabia will offer up to 200,000 jobs to Sri Lankan youths in 2023. ', 'content' => '<p><br /> <span style="font-size:20px">January 25: Saudi Arabia will offer up to 200,000 jobs to Sri Lankan youths in 2023. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Sri Lankan Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara on Tuesday said Saudi Arabia is willing to take up to 200,000 Sri Lankan workers in 2023.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The minister told the media that Saudi Arabia offered 54,000 jobs to Sri Lankan youths in 2022, adding that over 300,000 Sri Lankans went for foreign jobs in 2022 and most went to the Middle East.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Workers' remittance is one of the main sources of foreign revenues for Sri Lanka.<br /> Sri Lankan migrant workers remitted around 3.8 billion U.S. Dollars in 2022, the data at the country's central bank showed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Following an unprecedented economic crisis, Sri Lanka’s Defense Ministry announced on Friday that it would give retirement to 65,000 soldiers from its 200,000-strong army over the year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">President Ranil Wickremesinghe has recently hiked taxes and imposed harsh spending cuts to smooth the passage of an expected International Monetary Fund bail-out following a government debt default. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The Island nation has been facing a shortage of food and fuel for months since the outbreak of the COVID-19. (Agencies) </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-25', 'modified' => '2023-01-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16583', 'image' => '20230125045442_collage (87).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-25 16:49:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9513', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'ADB to provide Rs 16.92 bn in loan assistance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide USD 15 million (equivalent to Rs 16.92 billion) loan as development assistance.', 'content' => '<p>November 27: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide USD 15 million (equivalent to Rs 16.92 billion) loan as development assistance for urban water supply and sanitation project and for SASEC Power System Expansion Project, according to Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS).</p> <p>According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Monday, November 26, the loan available under the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project will support expansion of access to community-managed water supply and sanitation in 20 municipalities by improving water supply and sanitation infrastructure and strengthening capacity of the relevant institutions and communities.</p> <p>The additional loan financing for SASEC Power System Expansion Project supports to increase power transmission capacity, improve distribution network, increase mini grid-based renewable energy systems in off-grid areas, develop capacity of Nepal Electricity Authority and Alternative Energy Promotion Centre and develop a utility-scale solar photovoltaic project, the national news agency RSS further stated.</p> <p>Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Dr Rajan Khanal and ADB’s Country Director for Nepal Mukhtor Khamudkhanov signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations</p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-27', 'modified' => '2018-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9288', 'image' => '20181127012248_ADB.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-27 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9509', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Christian Dior Launches Podium at Hamad Int’l Airport', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: Inspired by the love of perfume, Qatar Duty Free (QDF) and Parfums Christian Dior have launched a Dior Les Parfums Podium at Hamad International Airport (HIA).', 'content' => '<p>November 27: Inspired by the love of perfume, Qatar Duty Free (QDF) and Parfums Christian Dior have launched a Dior Les Parfums Podium at Hamad International Airport (HIA), designed as a tribute to fragrance creation.</p> <p>According to a statement issued by Qatar Airways, Dior Les Parfums takes passengers on a virtual journey to Grasse gardens, with a 360° screen, encompassing them with beautiful aromas and transporting them to the south of France. The podium is also equipped with wrapping stations, and consultation opportunities with beauty advisors.</p> <p>Speaking at the opening ceremony, Parfums Christian Dior’s Senior Vice President of Travel Retail Worldwide, Olivier Dubos, noted, “At Christian Dior, we have always loved perfume, and it is part of our history. This is the fourth edition of Dior Les Parfums in partnership with Qatar Airways Group.</p> <p>“Dior Les Parfums conveys our love for perfume, deeply rooted in the south of France. We have the honor today to have with us François Demachy, who imagines all our perfumes, being based in the magical region of Grasse, the world capital of Perfumery. This pop-up is our way of bringing Grasse to people from all over the world travelling through this prestigious airport. We will take them on a sensorial journey of discovery to experience the virtual Grasse gardens, with a 360° screen encompassing them with beautiful flowers, and living the Dior fragrance experience like nowhere else."</p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-27', 'modified' => '2018-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9286', 'image' => '20181127123414_qatar.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-27 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9496', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => '‘Nepal Talanoa Dialogue’ Aims to Foster Progressive Climate Change', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 25: The Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal, and the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal hosted the ‘Nepal Talanoa Dialogue’ on November 22.', 'content' => '<p>November 25: The Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal, and the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal hosted the ‘Nepal Talanoa Dialogue’ on November 22.</p> <p>Addressing the opening session of the event, Minister for Forests and Environment, Shakti Bahadur Basnet , said the issue of climate change has a lot of prominence not only because it is an issue being debated globally but also because Nepal is placed in the top list of countries that are being adversely affected.</p> <p>"We in Nepal are more keen to discuss about climate change since we are having to bear the negative impacts although our contributions to the overall carbon emissions globally is very low," a joint statement issued by the ministry and the EU delegation quoted Minister Basnet as saying.</p> <p>He expressed hope that the Talanoa dialogue being organized by the ministry with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal would identify the possible areas of cooperation among different partners and pave the way forward for a more resilient and prosperous Nepal.</p> <p>Secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Dr Bishwa Nath Oli said, that there are clear evidences of rise in global temperature which should be checked through concerted efforts of all nations.</p> <p>He said that Nepal views climate change as a development issue and has been working towards identifying the appropriate ways of becoming more climate resilient through the adoption of more environment-friendly technology. Its goals are to strive ahead in the development front by cutting down carbon emissions to the lowest level possible, Dr Oli added.</p> <p>European Union Ambassador to Nepal Veronica Cody said that the outcomes of the dialogue will be helpful for the Government of Nepal to take forward at the UNFCCC conference, contributing to the assessment of collective progress and securing a meaningful outcome at the COP 24 in Katowice, Poland this December. The Talanoa Dialogue is considered as an inclusive, participatory and transparent dialogue.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-25', 'modified' => '2018-11-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9270', 'image' => '20181125033849_Clipboard01.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-25 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9477', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Qatar Airways Clinches New Awards', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 22: Qatar Airways bagged yet another award as its revolutionary Qsuite was named the ‘Best Business Class’ in the Airline Excellence Awards 2019 organised by AirlineRatings. ', 'content' => '<p>November 22: Qatar Airways bagged yet another award as its revolutionary Qsuite was named the ‘Best Business Class’ in the Airline Excellence Awards 2019 organised by AirlineRatings. The airline’s renowned dine-on-demand in flight cuisine was also named the ‘Best Catering,’ reads a statement issued by the airline company.</p> <p>According to Qatar Airways, the annual airline ratings awards, one of Australia’s most trusted travel industry awards, acknowledges the best in the airline industry and are based on votes by national travel editors who have a combined experience of over 150 years.</p> <p>Airlineratings.com Editor-in Chief, Geoffrey Thomas, said: “Qatar Airways has always been a trendsetter by raising the bar, and its new Qsuite is the epitome of that drive and a natural choice as AirlineRatings.com best Business Class for 2019. Qsuite is a first-class experience in Business Class. Our judges rated it as one of the best overall business-class products they had seen. It sets a standard to which some airlines can only aspire.”</p> <p>Qsuite, patented by Qatar Airways, features the industry’s first-ever double bed available in Business Class, with privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room. Adjustable panels and moveable TV monitors on the centre four seats allow colleagues, friends or families travelling together to transform their space into a private suite, allowing them to work, dine and socialise together.</p> <p>In May 2018, Qatar Airways introduced an enhanced onboard dining experience for its Business Class passengers. The new dining concept features newly-designed tableware, in-flight dining menus, cutlery and chinaware that are specially crafted to meet travellers’ high expectations and elevate their experience on board.</p> <p>These awards add to a year of continued success for Qatar Airways, which was named the ‘World’s Best Business Class’ by the 2018 Skytrax World Airline Awards. It was also named the ‘Best Business Class Seat’, the ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, and the ‘World’s Best First-Class Airline Lounge’.</p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-22', 'modified' => '2018-11-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9253', 'image' => '20181122021235_Qatar-Airways.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-22 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21747', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Bangladesh PM Hasina Quits and Flees as Protestors Storm Palace', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly resigned and fled the country in the face of ongoing protests, Al Jazeera reported on Monday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly resigned and fled the country in the face of ongoing protests, Al Jazeera reported on Monday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Qatar-based media network, the longtime leader of Bangladesh boarded a military helicopter after crowds ignored a national curfew to storm the prime minister’s palace in Dhaka.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">BBC also confirmed that Prime Minister Hasina resigned and fled the country after anti-government protests in which hundreds of people have been killed.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Close to 300 people have died amid weeks of protest that erupted due to the dispute related to student’s quota.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Following a night of deadly violence that killed close to 100 on Sunday, tension had remained high as protestors called for a march on Dhaka and the army prepared to address the nation,” Al Jazeera reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to media reports, the mood on the streets turned celebratory after the news of Hasina’s departure spread.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman has cancelled his planned address and instead is currently holding talks with major political parties, including the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-05', 'modified' => '2024-08-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21473', 'image' => '20240805034837_image-84782-1664270336.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-05 15:47:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21732', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'US General Arrives in Middle East as Israel Prepares for Possible Iranian Attack ', 'sub_title' => 'Three US and Israeli officials said that they expect Iran to launch an attack on Israel as early as Monday', 'summary' => 'WASHINGTON DC, August 4: US Central Command's General Michael Kurilla arrived in the region on Saturday amid preparations for a possible attack by Iran on Israel in response to the recent killings of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, US-based news website Axios reported, citing two US officials. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">WASHINGTON DC, August 4: US Central Command's General Michael Kurilla arrived in the region on Saturday amid preparations for a possible attack by Iran on Israel in response to the recent killings of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, US-based news website Axios reported, citing two US officials. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">General Kurilla's visit, which was planned before the recent escalation between Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah following the killing of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, is now seen as a strategic move. He is expected to mobilise the international and regional coalition that previously defended Israel against an attack from Iran on April 13, Axios reported, citing a US official. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Three US and Israeli officials said that they expect Iran to launch an attack on Israel as early as Monday. Iranian and Hezbollah leaders have pledged to retaliate for the killings of Hezbollah's top military commander, Fuad Shukr, and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to a US official, Kurilla is expected to visit several Gulf nations, including Israel and Jordan. Jordan is a key stop, as it played an important role during the April 13 attack by intercepting Iranian drones bound for Israel and allowing US and Israeli jets to use its airspace for interception. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The official said that the US hopes the same will happen again if needed. The US is boosting its forces in the Middle East in preparation for Iran's possible attack on Israel and sending more warships and fighter jets to the region, the Pentagon said on Friday, according to Axios report. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">US officials expect Iranian retaliation to follow a similar pattern as their previous attack on Israel but may also involve Hezbollah in Lebanon, Axios reported. The US government is concerned that it may be more difficult to mobilise the international and regional cooperation of nations that defended Israel from the previous Iranian attack, as Haniyeh's killing has drawn sharp sentiments against Israel across the region. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">US and Israeli officials said they do not know whether Iran and Hezbollah will carry out a coordinated attack or operate separately. The officials said that they think Iran and Hezbollah are still working on finalising their military plans and giving them approval at the political level. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A US official said the Biden administration wanted to announce the bolstering of US forces on Friday as Iran and Hezbollah were discussing regarding their response with the hope that the announcement will help to deter and influence their military plans. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">When asked on Saturday whether he believes Iran will back down, US President Joe Biden replied, "I hope so. I don't know." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">On July 31, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an attack in Tehran. In a statement, the IRGC said that Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed when their residence was hit in Tehran. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A projectile hit a residence allocated to war veterans in Tehran at 2 am (local time) on Wednesday, according to a Press TV report. Ismail Haniyeh, who was based in Qatar, travelled to Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Iranian President-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a Press TV report. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in the Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Tuesday (local time).The IDF said Shukr was "responsible for the majority of Hezbollah's most advanced weaponry, including precise-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets, and UAVs" and for the terror group's "force build-up, planning, and execution of terror attacks against the State of Israel," The Times of Israel reported. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">On July 30, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his nation has delivered "crushing blows" to enemies in the last few days, CNN reported. He made the remarks hours after the deaths of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. -- ANI/RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-04', 'modified' => '2024-08-04', 'keywords' => 'Israel, Iran, attack, US, general, Kurilla, tensions, middle, east', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21460', 'image' => '20240804011446_PALXUO3RX5HNPBAUYHCNHNOOEQ.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-04 13:13:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21185', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Modi Heads for Victory in India Vote, but no Landslide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed expectations. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed expectations. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Commentators and exit polls had projected an overwhelming victory for Modi, whose campaign wooed the Hindu majority to the worry of the country's 200-million-plus Muslim community, deepening concerns over minority rights. But for the first time in a decade Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could fail to secure an overall majority of its own, figures from the election commission projected, meaning it would need to rely on its alliance partners. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The main opposition Congress party was set to nearly double its parliamentary seats, in a remarkable turnaround largely driven by deals to field single candidates against the BJP's electoral juggernaut. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">With 92 percent of votes counted, the BJP's vote share at 37.1 percent was marginally lower than it was in the last polls in 2019. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi was re-elected to his constituency representing the Hindu holy city of Varanasi by a margin of 152,000 votes -- compared to nearly half a million votes five years ago. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The election commission figures showed the BJP and its allies leading in at least 282 seats out of a total of 543, enough for a parliamentary majority. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">But the BJP itself was only leading in 239, well down on the 303 it won five years ago, while the Congress was ahead in 99, up from 52. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">'Moral defeat' </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Celebrations had already begun at the headquarters of Modi's BJP before the full announcement of results. But the mood at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi was also one of jubilation. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"BJP has failed to win a big majority on its own," Congress lawmaker Rajeev Shukla told reporters. "It's a moral defeat for them." </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Stocks slumped on speculation the reduced majority would hamper the BJP's ability to push through reforms. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shares in the main listed unit of Adani Enterprises -- owned by key Modi ally Gautam Adani -- dropped 25 percent, before recovering. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi's opponents have struggled to counter the BJP's well-oiled and well-funded campaign machine, and have been hamstrung by what they say are politically motivated criminal cases aimed at hobbling challengers. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">US think tank Freedom House said this year that the BJP had "increasingly used government institutions to target political opponents". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of the capital Delhi and a key leader in an alliance formed to compete against Modi, returned to jail on Sunday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Kejriwal, 55, was detained in March over a long-running corruption probe, but was later released and allowed to campaign as long as he returned to custody once voting ended. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"When power becomes dictatorship, then jail becomes a responsibility," Kejriwal said before surrendering himself, vowing to continue "fighting" from behind bars. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">'Strength of Indian democracy' </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Many of India's Muslim minority are increasingly uneasy about their futures and their community's place in the constitutionally secular country. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi himself made several strident comments about Muslims on the campaign trail, referring to them as "infiltrators". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The polls were staggering in their size and logistical complexity, with 642 million voters casting their ballots -- ranging from megacities New Delhi and Mumbai, as well as in sparsely populated forest areas and the high-altitude Himalayas. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"People should know about the strength of Indian democracy," chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar said Monday, calling the counting process "robust". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Based on the commission's figure of an electorate of 968 million, turnout came to 66.3 percent, down roughly one percentage point from 67.4 percent in the last polls in 2019. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Analysts have partly blamed the lower turnout on a searing heatwave across northern India, with temperatures over 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). – AFP/RSS</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-05', 'modified' => '2024-06-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20909', 'image' => '20240605011011_mdi.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-05 13:09:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21035', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Iran's President Raisi, FM die in Helicopter Crash: State TV ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'TEHRAN: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian died in a helicopter crash, state-run IRIB TV reported Monday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">TEHRAN: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian died in a helicopter crash, state-run IRIB TV reported Monday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The helicopter carrying Raisi and other senior officials was forced into a hard landing in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan due to the bad weather on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The other members of Raisi's accompanying team, including East Azarbaijan's Governor Malek Rahmati, and the Friday prayers leader Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ale-Hasehem, as well as the flight crew also lost their lives, the report said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The tragedy occurred while Raisi was on his way from Khoda Afarin County, where he had attended the inauguration ceremony of a storage dam, to the provincial capital Tabriz for the inauguration of a petrochemical complex. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Media reports said images show the helicopter crashed into a mountain peak. State news agency IRNA said Raisi was flying in a U.S.-made Bell 212 helicopter. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Fog and rain had hampered the search operation before rescuers spotted the helicopter earlier in the day. – Xinhua/RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-20', 'modified' => '2024-05-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20762', 'image' => '20240520040139_20240519101630_ebrahim-raisi-1-6850811-1713371489836.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-20 16:01:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21027', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Helicopter Carrying Iran’s President Crashes', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi was involved in "an accident" in poor weather conditions on Sunday, state media reported, with a search underway and no news yet on his condition.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi was involved in "an accident" in poor weather conditions on Sunday, state media reported, with a search underway and no news yet on his condition.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Iranian state media said the crash occurred on Sunday near Jolfa in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Raisi was returning from a visit to neighbouring Azerbaijan, where he had travelled to inaugurate a dam alongside the country’s President Ilham Aliyev, when the incident took place.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">His convoy included three helicopters, and the other two had "reached their destination safely," according to Tasnim news agency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">People who were with the president inside the helicopter managed to make an emergency call, according to the semiofficial Tasnim News Agency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Search and rescue team were headed to the remote mountain area, state media in the Islamic republic reported, adding that Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was also aboard the aircraft.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"The harsh weather conditions and heavy fog have made it difficult for the rescue teams to reach the accident site," state TV said in an on-screen news alert.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">State TV broadcast footage of an Iranian Red Crescent team walking up a slope in thick fog, as well as live footage of crowds of worshippers reciting prayers in the holy Shrine of Imam Reza in the city Mashhad, Raisi's hometown. -- AGENCIES</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-19', 'modified' => '2024-05-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20754', 'image' => '20240519101630_ebrahim-raisi-1-6850811-1713371489836.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-19 22:15:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20988', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Orders Privatisation of All State-Owned Enterprises ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Islamabad: :Amid the staggering economic crisis in the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced to privatise all state-owned enterprises except for strategically important entities, ARY News reported. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Islamabad: :Amid the staggering economic crisis in the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced to privatise all state-owned enterprises except for strategically important entities, ARY News reported. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairing a review meeting on matters related to the Ministry of Privatization and Privatization Commission in Islamabad, the prime minister said apart from strategic state-owned enterprises, all other enterprises, whether profitable or loss-making, will be privatised. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the meeting, the privatisation ministry and the Privatisation Commission presented a roadmap for the Privatisation Program 2024-29, ARY News reported. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">PM Shehbaz said the government had nothing to do with running the businesses but was mandated to facilitate the investors. He viewed that the privatisation of SOEs would save the taxpayers' money to help the government provide quality services to the people. "Government's job is not to do business but to ensure a business and investment-friendly environment," the premier said, ARY News reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">PM Shehbaz Sharif also directed all federal ministries to take necessary action in this regard and cooperate with the Privatization Commission. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He directed to live telecast of Pakistan International Airlines Company Limited's (PIA) privatisation including bidding and other important steps. The process of privatisation of other institutions will also be broadcast live. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">ARY News reported that the meeting was informed about the progress made so far for the privatization of state-owned enterprises. It was informed that the pre-qualification process for PIA privatization is to be completed by the end of this month. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The meeting was told that the privatisation of power distribution companies has been included in the privatisation program 2024-2029. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It was informed that loss-making state-owned enterprises are to be privatized on a priority basis and that a pre-qualified panel of experts is being appointed in the privatization commission to speed up the privatization process. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The meeting was attended by federal ministers Khawaja Asif, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Jam Kamal Khan, Awais Ahmed Leghari, Abdul Aleem Khan, Musaddik Malik and Ahad Khan Cheema, PM's Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal, and relevant senior officers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A day earlier, Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb had directed all concerned ministries and divisions to submit proposals for the categorisation of their respective State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) by May 20. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The categorisation is a part of a comprehensive review of the rationale for retaining commercial functions within the public sector, according to a press release issued by the finance ministry. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Central Monitoring Unit of the Finance Division presented its ongoing work on the compilation of the Federal SOE Annual Financial Report for fiscal year 2023. The DG CMU informed the meeting that the data of all commercial entities has been obtained & collated, while the analytical work was currently underway. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The committee was briefed on the highlights of the performance of SOEs during the reporting period. The minister noted that there were a number of gaps in the governance and financial management of companies that needed to be addressed immediately and directed that the vacancies on the BOD's should be filled without delay, ARY News reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Last Friday, the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCOP) approved 24 state-owned enterprises for the privatisation programme, directing the privatisation ministry to deliberate the phasing of each entity in consultation with the respective ministries. – ANI/RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-15', 'modified' => '2024-05-15', 'keywords' => 'international, Pakistan, privatisation, state, owned, enterprises, airlines, prime, minister, government, business', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20715', 'image' => '20240515122410_pia-pakistan-international-airlines.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-15 12:22:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17442', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'OPEC+ Announces Surprise Oil Output Cuts', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) + oil producers on Sunday announced cuts of oil production by around 1.16 million barrels per day to stop oil prices from falling in the market. ', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">April 4: Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) + oil producers on Sunday announced cuts of oil production by around 1.16 million barrels per day to stop oil prices from falling in the market. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Following the announcement of production cuts, oil prices have surged. The price of Brent crude oil is trading above $84 a barrel after jumping by more than 5%.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Sunday's development comes a day before a virtual meeting of an OPEC+ ministerial panel, which includes Saudi Arabia and Russia, and which had been expected to stick to 2 million bpd of cuts already in place until the end of 2023. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Oil prices soared when Russia invaded Ukraine, but are now back at levels seen before the conflict began.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Responding to the latest cuts, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council said: "We don't think cuts are advisable at this moment given market uncertainty - and we've made that clear."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The reduction in output is being made by members of the Opec+ oil producers. The group accounts for about 40% of all the world's crude oil output.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Saudi Arabia is reducing output by 500,000 barrels per day and Iraq by 211,000. The UAE, Kuwait, Algeria and Oman are also making cuts.The Saudi energy ministry said the kingdom's voluntary reduction was a precautionary measure aimed at supporting the stability of the oil market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Last October, OPEC+ had agreed to an output cut of 2 million bpd from November until the end of the 2023, a move that angered Washington as tighter supply boosts oil prices. (Agencies) </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-03', 'modified' => '2023-04-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17177', 'image' => '20230403044225_collage - 2023-04-03T164051.696.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-03 16:37:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17411', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => '300 Million People Could Lose Jobs to Artificial Intelligence Worldwide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The way in which AI tools like ChatGPT are advancing would not be too surprising if most human jobs are replaced by AI tools. Now a report by Goldman Sachs has claimed that ChatGPT and the other AI tools could actually replace more than 300 million jobs.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"> March 30: The way in which AI tools like ChatGPT are advancing would not be too surprising if most human jobs are replaced by AI tools. Now a report by Goldman Sachs has claimed that ChatGPT and the other AI tools could actually replace more than 300 million jobs. Interestingly, ChatGPT, which has now received an upgraded lamguage model, GPT-4, listed 20 jobs it can replace.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Goldman Sachs economists predicted in a report that 18% of work globally could be computerized, with the effects felt more deeply in advanced economies than emerging markets.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">White-collar workers are seen to be more at risk than manual laborers owing to the use of artificial intelligence. Administrative workers and lawyers are expected to be most affected, the economists said, compared to the “little effect” seen on physically demanding or outdoor occupations, such as construction and repair work.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">In the United States and Europe, approximately two-thirds of current jobs “are exposed to some degree of AI automation,” and up to a quarter of all work could be done by AI completely, the bank estimates.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">If generative technology behind ChatGPT “delivers on its promised capabilities, the labor market could face significant disruption,” the economists wrote. Of late, ChatGPT, the chatbot sensation, has taken the world by storm.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">ChatGPT, which can answer prompts and write essays, has already prompted many businesses to rethink how people should work every day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">This month, its developer unveiled the latest version of the software behind the bot, GPT-4. The platform has quickly impressed early users with its ability to simplify coding, rapidly create a website from a simple sketch and pass exams with high marks.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Further use of such AI will likely lead to job losses, the Goldman Sachs economists wrote. But they noted that technological innovation that initially displaces workers has historically also created employment growth over the long haul.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">While workplaces may shift, widespread adoption of AI could ultimately increase labor productivity — and boost global GDP by 7% annually over a 10-year period, according to Goldman Sachs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“Although the impact of AI on the labor market is likely to be significant, most jobs and industries are only partially exposed to automation and are thus more likely to be complemented rather than substituted by AI,” the economists added.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“Most workers are employed in occupations that are partially exposed to AI automation and, following AI adoption, will likely apply at least some of their freed-up capacity toward productive activities that increase output.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“The combination of significant labor cost savings, new job creation, and a productivity boost for non-displaced workers raises the possibility of a labor productivity boom like those that followed the emergence of earlier general-purpose technologies like the electric motor and personal computer,” researchers stated. (agencies)</span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-30', 'modified' => '2023-03-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17146', 'image' => '20230330034303_collage - 2023-03-30T153721.796.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-30 15:37:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17277', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => ' Prices of Maize, Wheat, Rice Drop Worldwide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Prices of maize, wheat and rice have dropped throughout the world. Prices of food items such as maize, wheat and rice fell in the two weeks before March 9, according to the World Bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"> <br /> March 15: Prices of maize, wheat and rice have dropped throughout the world. Prices of food items such as maize, wheat and rice fell in the two weeks before March 9, according to the World Bank.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Corn prices are down by six percent in the review period, compared to the two weeks ago. Wheat prices have fallen by 7 percent, while the value of the rice is down by two percent. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">During the same period last year, the price of the wheat was cheaper by 15 percent though. Prices of maize and wheat have become dearer by 24 and 7 percent respectively compared to the January of 2021, said the World Bank. Rice, however, has become cheaper by 3 percent.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Prices of agricultural products and food have dropped by 2 and 5 percent respectively compared to the value of two weeks ago. (Agencies) </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-15', 'modified' => '2023-03-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17015', 'image' => '20230315052620_collage - 2023-03-15T162423.447.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-15 17:22:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16989', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Huge Amount of Lithium Reserves Found in Jammu and Kashmir ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Huge amounts of lithium reserves have been found for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir. Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in EV batteries. ', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">India (February 10): Huge amounts of lithium reserves have been found for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir. Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in EV batteries. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">So far, India has depended on Australia and Argentina for lithium imports. The Geological Survey of India found the lithium reserves in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir, India's Ministry of Mines said. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">As much as 5.9m tonnes of the mineral have been discovered in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2021, much smaller deposits of the mineral were found in the southern state of Karnataka.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">"For the first time, lithium reserves have been discovered and that too in Jammu and Kashmir," Mines Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj said. Earlier, the government had said that it was looking to improve its supply of rare metals needed to boost new technologies and was looking for sources in India and abroad.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Around the world the demand for rare metals, including lithium, has increased as countries look to adopt greener solutions to slow down climate change.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Lithium is extracted from hard rocks and underground brine reservoirs largely found in Australia, Chile and Argentina.<br /> After the mineral is mined, it is roasted using fossil fuels, searing the landscape and leaving behind scars. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The extraction process also requires a lot of water and releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. According to the World Bank, mining of crucial minerals will need to increase by 500% to meet global climate targets by 2050.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">However, experts say that the process of mining lithium is not environment-friendly. (Agencies)</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-10', 'modified' => '2023-02-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16727', 'image' => '20230210052100_collage - 2023-02-10T171719.098.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-10 17:15:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16843', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Saudi Arabia to Offer up to 200,000 jobs to Sri Lankans in 2023', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Saudi Arabia will offer up to 200,000 jobs to Sri Lankan youths in 2023. ', 'content' => '<p><br /> <span style="font-size:20px">January 25: Saudi Arabia will offer up to 200,000 jobs to Sri Lankan youths in 2023. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Sri Lankan Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara on Tuesday said Saudi Arabia is willing to take up to 200,000 Sri Lankan workers in 2023.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The minister told the media that Saudi Arabia offered 54,000 jobs to Sri Lankan youths in 2022, adding that over 300,000 Sri Lankans went for foreign jobs in 2022 and most went to the Middle East.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Workers' remittance is one of the main sources of foreign revenues for Sri Lanka.<br /> Sri Lankan migrant workers remitted around 3.8 billion U.S. Dollars in 2022, the data at the country's central bank showed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Following an unprecedented economic crisis, Sri Lanka’s Defense Ministry announced on Friday that it would give retirement to 65,000 soldiers from its 200,000-strong army over the year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">President Ranil Wickremesinghe has recently hiked taxes and imposed harsh spending cuts to smooth the passage of an expected International Monetary Fund bail-out following a government debt default. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The Island nation has been facing a shortage of food and fuel for months since the outbreak of the COVID-19. (Agencies) </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-25', 'modified' => '2023-01-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16583', 'image' => '20230125045442_collage (87).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-25 16:49:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9513', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'ADB to provide Rs 16.92 bn in loan assistance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide USD 15 million (equivalent to Rs 16.92 billion) loan as development assistance.', 'content' => '<p>November 27: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide USD 15 million (equivalent to Rs 16.92 billion) loan as development assistance for urban water supply and sanitation project and for SASEC Power System Expansion Project, according to Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS).</p> <p>According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Monday, November 26, the loan available under the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project will support expansion of access to community-managed water supply and sanitation in 20 municipalities by improving water supply and sanitation infrastructure and strengthening capacity of the relevant institutions and communities.</p> <p>The additional loan financing for SASEC Power System Expansion Project supports to increase power transmission capacity, improve distribution network, increase mini grid-based renewable energy systems in off-grid areas, develop capacity of Nepal Electricity Authority and Alternative Energy Promotion Centre and develop a utility-scale solar photovoltaic project, the national news agency RSS further stated.</p> <p>Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Dr Rajan Khanal and ADB’s Country Director for Nepal Mukhtor Khamudkhanov signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations</p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-27', 'modified' => '2018-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9288', 'image' => '20181127012248_ADB.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-27 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9509', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Christian Dior Launches Podium at Hamad Int’l Airport', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: Inspired by the love of perfume, Qatar Duty Free (QDF) and Parfums Christian Dior have launched a Dior Les Parfums Podium at Hamad International Airport (HIA).', 'content' => '<p>November 27: Inspired by the love of perfume, Qatar Duty Free (QDF) and Parfums Christian Dior have launched a Dior Les Parfums Podium at Hamad International Airport (HIA), designed as a tribute to fragrance creation.</p> <p>According to a statement issued by Qatar Airways, Dior Les Parfums takes passengers on a virtual journey to Grasse gardens, with a 360° screen, encompassing them with beautiful aromas and transporting them to the south of France. The podium is also equipped with wrapping stations, and consultation opportunities with beauty advisors.</p> <p>Speaking at the opening ceremony, Parfums Christian Dior’s Senior Vice President of Travel Retail Worldwide, Olivier Dubos, noted, “At Christian Dior, we have always loved perfume, and it is part of our history. This is the fourth edition of Dior Les Parfums in partnership with Qatar Airways Group.</p> <p>“Dior Les Parfums conveys our love for perfume, deeply rooted in the south of France. We have the honor today to have with us François Demachy, who imagines all our perfumes, being based in the magical region of Grasse, the world capital of Perfumery. This pop-up is our way of bringing Grasse to people from all over the world travelling through this prestigious airport. We will take them on a sensorial journey of discovery to experience the virtual Grasse gardens, with a 360° screen encompassing them with beautiful flowers, and living the Dior fragrance experience like nowhere else."</p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-27', 'modified' => '2018-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9286', 'image' => '20181127123414_qatar.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-27 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9496', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => '‘Nepal Talanoa Dialogue’ Aims to Foster Progressive Climate Change', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 25: The Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal, and the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal hosted the ‘Nepal Talanoa Dialogue’ on November 22.', 'content' => '<p>November 25: The Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal, and the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal hosted the ‘Nepal Talanoa Dialogue’ on November 22.</p> <p>Addressing the opening session of the event, Minister for Forests and Environment, Shakti Bahadur Basnet , said the issue of climate change has a lot of prominence not only because it is an issue being debated globally but also because Nepal is placed in the top list of countries that are being adversely affected.</p> <p>"We in Nepal are more keen to discuss about climate change since we are having to bear the negative impacts although our contributions to the overall carbon emissions globally is very low," a joint statement issued by the ministry and the EU delegation quoted Minister Basnet as saying.</p> <p>He expressed hope that the Talanoa dialogue being organized by the ministry with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal would identify the possible areas of cooperation among different partners and pave the way forward for a more resilient and prosperous Nepal.</p> <p>Secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Dr Bishwa Nath Oli said, that there are clear evidences of rise in global temperature which should be checked through concerted efforts of all nations.</p> <p>He said that Nepal views climate change as a development issue and has been working towards identifying the appropriate ways of becoming more climate resilient through the adoption of more environment-friendly technology. Its goals are to strive ahead in the development front by cutting down carbon emissions to the lowest level possible, Dr Oli added.</p> <p>European Union Ambassador to Nepal Veronica Cody said that the outcomes of the dialogue will be helpful for the Government of Nepal to take forward at the UNFCCC conference, contributing to the assessment of collective progress and securing a meaningful outcome at the COP 24 in Katowice, Poland this December. The Talanoa Dialogue is considered as an inclusive, participatory and transparent dialogue.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-25', 'modified' => '2018-11-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9270', 'image' => '20181125033849_Clipboard01.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-25 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9477', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Qatar Airways Clinches New Awards', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 22: Qatar Airways bagged yet another award as its revolutionary Qsuite was named the ‘Best Business Class’ in the Airline Excellence Awards 2019 organised by AirlineRatings. ', 'content' => '<p>November 22: Qatar Airways bagged yet another award as its revolutionary Qsuite was named the ‘Best Business Class’ in the Airline Excellence Awards 2019 organised by AirlineRatings. The airline’s renowned dine-on-demand in flight cuisine was also named the ‘Best Catering,’ reads a statement issued by the airline company.</p> <p>According to Qatar Airways, the annual airline ratings awards, one of Australia’s most trusted travel industry awards, acknowledges the best in the airline industry and are based on votes by national travel editors who have a combined experience of over 150 years.</p> <p>Airlineratings.com Editor-in Chief, Geoffrey Thomas, said: “Qatar Airways has always been a trendsetter by raising the bar, and its new Qsuite is the epitome of that drive and a natural choice as AirlineRatings.com best Business Class for 2019. Qsuite is a first-class experience in Business Class. Our judges rated it as one of the best overall business-class products they had seen. It sets a standard to which some airlines can only aspire.”</p> <p>Qsuite, patented by Qatar Airways, features the industry’s first-ever double bed available in Business Class, with privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room. Adjustable panels and moveable TV monitors on the centre four seats allow colleagues, friends or families travelling together to transform their space into a private suite, allowing them to work, dine and socialise together.</p> <p>In May 2018, Qatar Airways introduced an enhanced onboard dining experience for its Business Class passengers. The new dining concept features newly-designed tableware, in-flight dining menus, cutlery and chinaware that are specially crafted to meet travellers’ high expectations and elevate their experience on board.</p> <p>These awards add to a year of continued success for Qatar Airways, which was named the ‘World’s Best Business Class’ by the 2018 Skytrax World Airline Awards. It was also named the ‘Best Business Class Seat’, the ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, and the ‘World’s Best First-Class Airline Lounge’.</p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-22', 'modified' => '2018-11-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9253', 'image' => '20181122021235_Qatar-Airways.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-22 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21747', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Bangladesh PM Hasina Quits and Flees as Protestors Storm Palace', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly resigned and fled the country in the face of ongoing protests, Al Jazeera reported on Monday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly resigned and fled the country in the face of ongoing protests, Al Jazeera reported on Monday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Qatar-based media network, the longtime leader of Bangladesh boarded a military helicopter after crowds ignored a national curfew to storm the prime minister’s palace in Dhaka.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">BBC also confirmed that Prime Minister Hasina resigned and fled the country after anti-government protests in which hundreds of people have been killed.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Close to 300 people have died amid weeks of protest that erupted due to the dispute related to student’s quota.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Following a night of deadly violence that killed close to 100 on Sunday, tension had remained high as protestors called for a march on Dhaka and the army prepared to address the nation,” Al Jazeera reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to media reports, the mood on the streets turned celebratory after the news of Hasina’s departure spread.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman has cancelled his planned address and instead is currently holding talks with major political parties, including the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-05', 'modified' => '2024-08-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21473', 'image' => '20240805034837_image-84782-1664270336.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-05 15:47:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21732', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'US General Arrives in Middle East as Israel Prepares for Possible Iranian Attack ', 'sub_title' => 'Three US and Israeli officials said that they expect Iran to launch an attack on Israel as early as Monday', 'summary' => 'WASHINGTON DC, August 4: US Central Command's General Michael Kurilla arrived in the region on Saturday amid preparations for a possible attack by Iran on Israel in response to the recent killings of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, US-based news website Axios reported, citing two US officials. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">WASHINGTON DC, August 4: US Central Command's General Michael Kurilla arrived in the region on Saturday amid preparations for a possible attack by Iran on Israel in response to the recent killings of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, US-based news website Axios reported, citing two US officials. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">General Kurilla's visit, which was planned before the recent escalation between Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah following the killing of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, is now seen as a strategic move. He is expected to mobilise the international and regional coalition that previously defended Israel against an attack from Iran on April 13, Axios reported, citing a US official. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Three US and Israeli officials said that they expect Iran to launch an attack on Israel as early as Monday. Iranian and Hezbollah leaders have pledged to retaliate for the killings of Hezbollah's top military commander, Fuad Shukr, and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to a US official, Kurilla is expected to visit several Gulf nations, including Israel and Jordan. Jordan is a key stop, as it played an important role during the April 13 attack by intercepting Iranian drones bound for Israel and allowing US and Israeli jets to use its airspace for interception. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The official said that the US hopes the same will happen again if needed. The US is boosting its forces in the Middle East in preparation for Iran's possible attack on Israel and sending more warships and fighter jets to the region, the Pentagon said on Friday, according to Axios report. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">US officials expect Iranian retaliation to follow a similar pattern as their previous attack on Israel but may also involve Hezbollah in Lebanon, Axios reported. The US government is concerned that it may be more difficult to mobilise the international and regional cooperation of nations that defended Israel from the previous Iranian attack, as Haniyeh's killing has drawn sharp sentiments against Israel across the region. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">US and Israeli officials said they do not know whether Iran and Hezbollah will carry out a coordinated attack or operate separately. The officials said that they think Iran and Hezbollah are still working on finalising their military plans and giving them approval at the political level. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A US official said the Biden administration wanted to announce the bolstering of US forces on Friday as Iran and Hezbollah were discussing regarding their response with the hope that the announcement will help to deter and influence their military plans. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">When asked on Saturday whether he believes Iran will back down, US President Joe Biden replied, "I hope so. I don't know." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">On July 31, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an attack in Tehran. In a statement, the IRGC said that Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed when their residence was hit in Tehran. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A projectile hit a residence allocated to war veterans in Tehran at 2 am (local time) on Wednesday, according to a Press TV report. Ismail Haniyeh, who was based in Qatar, travelled to Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Iranian President-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a Press TV report. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in the Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Tuesday (local time).The IDF said Shukr was "responsible for the majority of Hezbollah's most advanced weaponry, including precise-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets, and UAVs" and for the terror group's "force build-up, planning, and execution of terror attacks against the State of Israel," The Times of Israel reported. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">On July 30, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his nation has delivered "crushing blows" to enemies in the last few days, CNN reported. He made the remarks hours after the deaths of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. -- ANI/RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-04', 'modified' => '2024-08-04', 'keywords' => 'Israel, Iran, attack, US, general, Kurilla, tensions, middle, east', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21460', 'image' => '20240804011446_PALXUO3RX5HNPBAUYHCNHNOOEQ.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-04 13:13:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21185', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Modi Heads for Victory in India Vote, but no Landslide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed expectations. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed expectations. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Commentators and exit polls had projected an overwhelming victory for Modi, whose campaign wooed the Hindu majority to the worry of the country's 200-million-plus Muslim community, deepening concerns over minority rights. But for the first time in a decade Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could fail to secure an overall majority of its own, figures from the election commission projected, meaning it would need to rely on its alliance partners. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The main opposition Congress party was set to nearly double its parliamentary seats, in a remarkable turnaround largely driven by deals to field single candidates against the BJP's electoral juggernaut. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">With 92 percent of votes counted, the BJP's vote share at 37.1 percent was marginally lower than it was in the last polls in 2019. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi was re-elected to his constituency representing the Hindu holy city of Varanasi by a margin of 152,000 votes -- compared to nearly half a million votes five years ago. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The election commission figures showed the BJP and its allies leading in at least 282 seats out of a total of 543, enough for a parliamentary majority. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">But the BJP itself was only leading in 239, well down on the 303 it won five years ago, while the Congress was ahead in 99, up from 52. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">'Moral defeat' </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Celebrations had already begun at the headquarters of Modi's BJP before the full announcement of results. But the mood at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi was also one of jubilation. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"BJP has failed to win a big majority on its own," Congress lawmaker Rajeev Shukla told reporters. "It's a moral defeat for them." </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Stocks slumped on speculation the reduced majority would hamper the BJP's ability to push through reforms. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shares in the main listed unit of Adani Enterprises -- owned by key Modi ally Gautam Adani -- dropped 25 percent, before recovering. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi's opponents have struggled to counter the BJP's well-oiled and well-funded campaign machine, and have been hamstrung by what they say are politically motivated criminal cases aimed at hobbling challengers. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">US think tank Freedom House said this year that the BJP had "increasingly used government institutions to target political opponents". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of the capital Delhi and a key leader in an alliance formed to compete against Modi, returned to jail on Sunday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Kejriwal, 55, was detained in March over a long-running corruption probe, but was later released and allowed to campaign as long as he returned to custody once voting ended. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"When power becomes dictatorship, then jail becomes a responsibility," Kejriwal said before surrendering himself, vowing to continue "fighting" from behind bars. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">'Strength of Indian democracy' </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Many of India's Muslim minority are increasingly uneasy about their futures and their community's place in the constitutionally secular country. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi himself made several strident comments about Muslims on the campaign trail, referring to them as "infiltrators". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The polls were staggering in their size and logistical complexity, with 642 million voters casting their ballots -- ranging from megacities New Delhi and Mumbai, as well as in sparsely populated forest areas and the high-altitude Himalayas. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"People should know about the strength of Indian democracy," chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar said Monday, calling the counting process "robust". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Based on the commission's figure of an electorate of 968 million, turnout came to 66.3 percent, down roughly one percentage point from 67.4 percent in the last polls in 2019. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Analysts have partly blamed the lower turnout on a searing heatwave across northern India, with temperatures over 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). – AFP/RSS</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-05', 'modified' => '2024-06-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20909', 'image' => '20240605011011_mdi.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-05 13:09:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21035', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Iran's President Raisi, FM die in Helicopter Crash: State TV ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'TEHRAN: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian died in a helicopter crash, state-run IRIB TV reported Monday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">TEHRAN: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian died in a helicopter crash, state-run IRIB TV reported Monday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The helicopter carrying Raisi and other senior officials was forced into a hard landing in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan due to the bad weather on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The other members of Raisi's accompanying team, including East Azarbaijan's Governor Malek Rahmati, and the Friday prayers leader Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ale-Hasehem, as well as the flight crew also lost their lives, the report said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The tragedy occurred while Raisi was on his way from Khoda Afarin County, where he had attended the inauguration ceremony of a storage dam, to the provincial capital Tabriz for the inauguration of a petrochemical complex. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Media reports said images show the helicopter crashed into a mountain peak. State news agency IRNA said Raisi was flying in a U.S.-made Bell 212 helicopter. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Fog and rain had hampered the search operation before rescuers spotted the helicopter earlier in the day. – Xinhua/RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-20', 'modified' => '2024-05-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20762', 'image' => '20240520040139_20240519101630_ebrahim-raisi-1-6850811-1713371489836.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-20 16:01:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21027', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Helicopter Carrying Iran’s President Crashes', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi was involved in "an accident" in poor weather conditions on Sunday, state media reported, with a search underway and no news yet on his condition.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi was involved in "an accident" in poor weather conditions on Sunday, state media reported, with a search underway and no news yet on his condition.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Iranian state media said the crash occurred on Sunday near Jolfa in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Raisi was returning from a visit to neighbouring Azerbaijan, where he had travelled to inaugurate a dam alongside the country’s President Ilham Aliyev, when the incident took place.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">His convoy included three helicopters, and the other two had "reached their destination safely," according to Tasnim news agency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">People who were with the president inside the helicopter managed to make an emergency call, according to the semiofficial Tasnim News Agency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Search and rescue team were headed to the remote mountain area, state media in the Islamic republic reported, adding that Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was also aboard the aircraft.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"The harsh weather conditions and heavy fog have made it difficult for the rescue teams to reach the accident site," state TV said in an on-screen news alert.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">State TV broadcast footage of an Iranian Red Crescent team walking up a slope in thick fog, as well as live footage of crowds of worshippers reciting prayers in the holy Shrine of Imam Reza in the city Mashhad, Raisi's hometown. -- AGENCIES</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-19', 'modified' => '2024-05-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20754', 'image' => '20240519101630_ebrahim-raisi-1-6850811-1713371489836.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-19 22:15:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20988', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Orders Privatisation of All State-Owned Enterprises ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Islamabad: :Amid the staggering economic crisis in the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced to privatise all state-owned enterprises except for strategically important entities, ARY News reported. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Islamabad: :Amid the staggering economic crisis in the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced to privatise all state-owned enterprises except for strategically important entities, ARY News reported. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairing a review meeting on matters related to the Ministry of Privatization and Privatization Commission in Islamabad, the prime minister said apart from strategic state-owned enterprises, all other enterprises, whether profitable or loss-making, will be privatised. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the meeting, the privatisation ministry and the Privatisation Commission presented a roadmap for the Privatisation Program 2024-29, ARY News reported. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">PM Shehbaz said the government had nothing to do with running the businesses but was mandated to facilitate the investors. He viewed that the privatisation of SOEs would save the taxpayers' money to help the government provide quality services to the people. "Government's job is not to do business but to ensure a business and investment-friendly environment," the premier said, ARY News reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">PM Shehbaz Sharif also directed all federal ministries to take necessary action in this regard and cooperate with the Privatization Commission. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He directed to live telecast of Pakistan International Airlines Company Limited's (PIA) privatisation including bidding and other important steps. The process of privatisation of other institutions will also be broadcast live. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">ARY News reported that the meeting was informed about the progress made so far for the privatization of state-owned enterprises. It was informed that the pre-qualification process for PIA privatization is to be completed by the end of this month. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The meeting was told that the privatisation of power distribution companies has been included in the privatisation program 2024-2029. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It was informed that loss-making state-owned enterprises are to be privatized on a priority basis and that a pre-qualified panel of experts is being appointed in the privatization commission to speed up the privatization process. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The meeting was attended by federal ministers Khawaja Asif, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Jam Kamal Khan, Awais Ahmed Leghari, Abdul Aleem Khan, Musaddik Malik and Ahad Khan Cheema, PM's Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal, and relevant senior officers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A day earlier, Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb had directed all concerned ministries and divisions to submit proposals for the categorisation of their respective State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) by May 20. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The categorisation is a part of a comprehensive review of the rationale for retaining commercial functions within the public sector, according to a press release issued by the finance ministry. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Central Monitoring Unit of the Finance Division presented its ongoing work on the compilation of the Federal SOE Annual Financial Report for fiscal year 2023. The DG CMU informed the meeting that the data of all commercial entities has been obtained & collated, while the analytical work was currently underway. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The committee was briefed on the highlights of the performance of SOEs during the reporting period. The minister noted that there were a number of gaps in the governance and financial management of companies that needed to be addressed immediately and directed that the vacancies on the BOD's should be filled without delay, ARY News reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Last Friday, the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCOP) approved 24 state-owned enterprises for the privatisation programme, directing the privatisation ministry to deliberate the phasing of each entity in consultation with the respective ministries. – ANI/RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-15', 'modified' => '2024-05-15', 'keywords' => 'international, Pakistan, privatisation, state, owned, enterprises, airlines, prime, minister, government, business', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20715', 'image' => '20240515122410_pia-pakistan-international-airlines.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-15 12:22:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17442', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'OPEC+ Announces Surprise Oil Output Cuts', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) + oil producers on Sunday announced cuts of oil production by around 1.16 million barrels per day to stop oil prices from falling in the market. ', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">April 4: Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) + oil producers on Sunday announced cuts of oil production by around 1.16 million barrels per day to stop oil prices from falling in the market. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Following the announcement of production cuts, oil prices have surged. The price of Brent crude oil is trading above $84 a barrel after jumping by more than 5%.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Sunday's development comes a day before a virtual meeting of an OPEC+ ministerial panel, which includes Saudi Arabia and Russia, and which had been expected to stick to 2 million bpd of cuts already in place until the end of 2023. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Oil prices soared when Russia invaded Ukraine, but are now back at levels seen before the conflict began.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Responding to the latest cuts, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council said: "We don't think cuts are advisable at this moment given market uncertainty - and we've made that clear."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The reduction in output is being made by members of the Opec+ oil producers. The group accounts for about 40% of all the world's crude oil output.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Saudi Arabia is reducing output by 500,000 barrels per day and Iraq by 211,000. The UAE, Kuwait, Algeria and Oman are also making cuts.The Saudi energy ministry said the kingdom's voluntary reduction was a precautionary measure aimed at supporting the stability of the oil market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Last October, OPEC+ had agreed to an output cut of 2 million bpd from November until the end of the 2023, a move that angered Washington as tighter supply boosts oil prices. (Agencies) </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-03', 'modified' => '2023-04-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17177', 'image' => '20230403044225_collage - 2023-04-03T164051.696.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-03 16:37:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17411', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => '300 Million People Could Lose Jobs to Artificial Intelligence Worldwide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The way in which AI tools like ChatGPT are advancing would not be too surprising if most human jobs are replaced by AI tools. Now a report by Goldman Sachs has claimed that ChatGPT and the other AI tools could actually replace more than 300 million jobs.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"> March 30: The way in which AI tools like ChatGPT are advancing would not be too surprising if most human jobs are replaced by AI tools. Now a report by Goldman Sachs has claimed that ChatGPT and the other AI tools could actually replace more than 300 million jobs. Interestingly, ChatGPT, which has now received an upgraded lamguage model, GPT-4, listed 20 jobs it can replace.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Goldman Sachs economists predicted in a report that 18% of work globally could be computerized, with the effects felt more deeply in advanced economies than emerging markets.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">White-collar workers are seen to be more at risk than manual laborers owing to the use of artificial intelligence. Administrative workers and lawyers are expected to be most affected, the economists said, compared to the “little effect” seen on physically demanding or outdoor occupations, such as construction and repair work.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">In the United States and Europe, approximately two-thirds of current jobs “are exposed to some degree of AI automation,” and up to a quarter of all work could be done by AI completely, the bank estimates.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">If generative technology behind ChatGPT “delivers on its promised capabilities, the labor market could face significant disruption,” the economists wrote. Of late, ChatGPT, the chatbot sensation, has taken the world by storm.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">ChatGPT, which can answer prompts and write essays, has already prompted many businesses to rethink how people should work every day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">This month, its developer unveiled the latest version of the software behind the bot, GPT-4. The platform has quickly impressed early users with its ability to simplify coding, rapidly create a website from a simple sketch and pass exams with high marks.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Further use of such AI will likely lead to job losses, the Goldman Sachs economists wrote. But they noted that technological innovation that initially displaces workers has historically also created employment growth over the long haul.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">While workplaces may shift, widespread adoption of AI could ultimately increase labor productivity — and boost global GDP by 7% annually over a 10-year period, according to Goldman Sachs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“Although the impact of AI on the labor market is likely to be significant, most jobs and industries are only partially exposed to automation and are thus more likely to be complemented rather than substituted by AI,” the economists added.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“Most workers are employed in occupations that are partially exposed to AI automation and, following AI adoption, will likely apply at least some of their freed-up capacity toward productive activities that increase output.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“The combination of significant labor cost savings, new job creation, and a productivity boost for non-displaced workers raises the possibility of a labor productivity boom like those that followed the emergence of earlier general-purpose technologies like the electric motor and personal computer,” researchers stated. (agencies)</span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-30', 'modified' => '2023-03-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17146', 'image' => '20230330034303_collage - 2023-03-30T153721.796.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-30 15:37:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17277', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => ' Prices of Maize, Wheat, Rice Drop Worldwide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Prices of maize, wheat and rice have dropped throughout the world. Prices of food items such as maize, wheat and rice fell in the two weeks before March 9, according to the World Bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"> <br /> March 15: Prices of maize, wheat and rice have dropped throughout the world. Prices of food items such as maize, wheat and rice fell in the two weeks before March 9, according to the World Bank.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Corn prices are down by six percent in the review period, compared to the two weeks ago. Wheat prices have fallen by 7 percent, while the value of the rice is down by two percent. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">During the same period last year, the price of the wheat was cheaper by 15 percent though. Prices of maize and wheat have become dearer by 24 and 7 percent respectively compared to the January of 2021, said the World Bank. Rice, however, has become cheaper by 3 percent.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Prices of agricultural products and food have dropped by 2 and 5 percent respectively compared to the value of two weeks ago. (Agencies) </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-15', 'modified' => '2023-03-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17015', 'image' => '20230315052620_collage - 2023-03-15T162423.447.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-15 17:22:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16989', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Huge Amount of Lithium Reserves Found in Jammu and Kashmir ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Huge amounts of lithium reserves have been found for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir. Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in EV batteries. ', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">India (February 10): Huge amounts of lithium reserves have been found for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir. Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in EV batteries. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">So far, India has depended on Australia and Argentina for lithium imports. The Geological Survey of India found the lithium reserves in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir, India's Ministry of Mines said. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">As much as 5.9m tonnes of the mineral have been discovered in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2021, much smaller deposits of the mineral were found in the southern state of Karnataka.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">"For the first time, lithium reserves have been discovered and that too in Jammu and Kashmir," Mines Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj said. Earlier, the government had said that it was looking to improve its supply of rare metals needed to boost new technologies and was looking for sources in India and abroad.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Around the world the demand for rare metals, including lithium, has increased as countries look to adopt greener solutions to slow down climate change.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Lithium is extracted from hard rocks and underground brine reservoirs largely found in Australia, Chile and Argentina.<br /> After the mineral is mined, it is roasted using fossil fuels, searing the landscape and leaving behind scars. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The extraction process also requires a lot of water and releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. According to the World Bank, mining of crucial minerals will need to increase by 500% to meet global climate targets by 2050.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">However, experts say that the process of mining lithium is not environment-friendly. (Agencies)</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-10', 'modified' => '2023-02-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16727', 'image' => '20230210052100_collage - 2023-02-10T171719.098.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-10 17:15:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16843', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Saudi Arabia to Offer up to 200,000 jobs to Sri Lankans in 2023', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Saudi Arabia will offer up to 200,000 jobs to Sri Lankan youths in 2023. ', 'content' => '<p><br /> <span style="font-size:20px">January 25: Saudi Arabia will offer up to 200,000 jobs to Sri Lankan youths in 2023. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Sri Lankan Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara on Tuesday said Saudi Arabia is willing to take up to 200,000 Sri Lankan workers in 2023.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The minister told the media that Saudi Arabia offered 54,000 jobs to Sri Lankan youths in 2022, adding that over 300,000 Sri Lankans went for foreign jobs in 2022 and most went to the Middle East.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Workers' remittance is one of the main sources of foreign revenues for Sri Lanka.<br /> Sri Lankan migrant workers remitted around 3.8 billion U.S. Dollars in 2022, the data at the country's central bank showed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Following an unprecedented economic crisis, Sri Lanka’s Defense Ministry announced on Friday that it would give retirement to 65,000 soldiers from its 200,000-strong army over the year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">President Ranil Wickremesinghe has recently hiked taxes and imposed harsh spending cuts to smooth the passage of an expected International Monetary Fund bail-out following a government debt default. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The Island nation has been facing a shortage of food and fuel for months since the outbreak of the COVID-19. (Agencies) </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-25', 'modified' => '2023-01-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16583', 'image' => '20230125045442_collage (87).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-25 16:49:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9513', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'ADB to provide Rs 16.92 bn in loan assistance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide USD 15 million (equivalent to Rs 16.92 billion) loan as development assistance.', 'content' => '<p>November 27: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide USD 15 million (equivalent to Rs 16.92 billion) loan as development assistance for urban water supply and sanitation project and for SASEC Power System Expansion Project, according to Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS).</p> <p>According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Monday, November 26, the loan available under the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project will support expansion of access to community-managed water supply and sanitation in 20 municipalities by improving water supply and sanitation infrastructure and strengthening capacity of the relevant institutions and communities.</p> <p>The additional loan financing for SASEC Power System Expansion Project supports to increase power transmission capacity, improve distribution network, increase mini grid-based renewable energy systems in off-grid areas, develop capacity of Nepal Electricity Authority and Alternative Energy Promotion Centre and develop a utility-scale solar photovoltaic project, the national news agency RSS further stated.</p> <p>Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Dr Rajan Khanal and ADB’s Country Director for Nepal Mukhtor Khamudkhanov signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations</p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-27', 'modified' => '2018-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9288', 'image' => '20181127012248_ADB.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-27 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9509', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Christian Dior Launches Podium at Hamad Int’l Airport', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: Inspired by the love of perfume, Qatar Duty Free (QDF) and Parfums Christian Dior have launched a Dior Les Parfums Podium at Hamad International Airport (HIA).', 'content' => '<p>November 27: Inspired by the love of perfume, Qatar Duty Free (QDF) and Parfums Christian Dior have launched a Dior Les Parfums Podium at Hamad International Airport (HIA), designed as a tribute to fragrance creation.</p> <p>According to a statement issued by Qatar Airways, Dior Les Parfums takes passengers on a virtual journey to Grasse gardens, with a 360° screen, encompassing them with beautiful aromas and transporting them to the south of France. The podium is also equipped with wrapping stations, and consultation opportunities with beauty advisors.</p> <p>Speaking at the opening ceremony, Parfums Christian Dior’s Senior Vice President of Travel Retail Worldwide, Olivier Dubos, noted, “At Christian Dior, we have always loved perfume, and it is part of our history. This is the fourth edition of Dior Les Parfums in partnership with Qatar Airways Group.</p> <p>“Dior Les Parfums conveys our love for perfume, deeply rooted in the south of France. We have the honor today to have with us François Demachy, who imagines all our perfumes, being based in the magical region of Grasse, the world capital of Perfumery. This pop-up is our way of bringing Grasse to people from all over the world travelling through this prestigious airport. We will take them on a sensorial journey of discovery to experience the virtual Grasse gardens, with a 360° screen encompassing them with beautiful flowers, and living the Dior fragrance experience like nowhere else."</p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-27', 'modified' => '2018-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9286', 'image' => '20181127123414_qatar.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-27 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9496', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => '‘Nepal Talanoa Dialogue’ Aims to Foster Progressive Climate Change', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 25: The Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal, and the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal hosted the ‘Nepal Talanoa Dialogue’ on November 22.', 'content' => '<p>November 25: The Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal, and the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal hosted the ‘Nepal Talanoa Dialogue’ on November 22.</p> <p>Addressing the opening session of the event, Minister for Forests and Environment, Shakti Bahadur Basnet , said the issue of climate change has a lot of prominence not only because it is an issue being debated globally but also because Nepal is placed in the top list of countries that are being adversely affected.</p> <p>"We in Nepal are more keen to discuss about climate change since we are having to bear the negative impacts although our contributions to the overall carbon emissions globally is very low," a joint statement issued by the ministry and the EU delegation quoted Minister Basnet as saying.</p> <p>He expressed hope that the Talanoa dialogue being organized by the ministry with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal would identify the possible areas of cooperation among different partners and pave the way forward for a more resilient and prosperous Nepal.</p> <p>Secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Dr Bishwa Nath Oli said, that there are clear evidences of rise in global temperature which should be checked through concerted efforts of all nations.</p> <p>He said that Nepal views climate change as a development issue and has been working towards identifying the appropriate ways of becoming more climate resilient through the adoption of more environment-friendly technology. Its goals are to strive ahead in the development front by cutting down carbon emissions to the lowest level possible, Dr Oli added.</p> <p>European Union Ambassador to Nepal Veronica Cody said that the outcomes of the dialogue will be helpful for the Government of Nepal to take forward at the UNFCCC conference, contributing to the assessment of collective progress and securing a meaningful outcome at the COP 24 in Katowice, Poland this December. The Talanoa Dialogue is considered as an inclusive, participatory and transparent dialogue.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-25', 'modified' => '2018-11-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9270', 'image' => '20181125033849_Clipboard01.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-25 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9477', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Qatar Airways Clinches New Awards', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 22: Qatar Airways bagged yet another award as its revolutionary Qsuite was named the ‘Best Business Class’ in the Airline Excellence Awards 2019 organised by AirlineRatings. ', 'content' => '<p>November 22: Qatar Airways bagged yet another award as its revolutionary Qsuite was named the ‘Best Business Class’ in the Airline Excellence Awards 2019 organised by AirlineRatings. The airline’s renowned dine-on-demand in flight cuisine was also named the ‘Best Catering,’ reads a statement issued by the airline company.</p> <p>According to Qatar Airways, the annual airline ratings awards, one of Australia’s most trusted travel industry awards, acknowledges the best in the airline industry and are based on votes by national travel editors who have a combined experience of over 150 years.</p> <p>Airlineratings.com Editor-in Chief, Geoffrey Thomas, said: “Qatar Airways has always been a trendsetter by raising the bar, and its new Qsuite is the epitome of that drive and a natural choice as AirlineRatings.com best Business Class for 2019. Qsuite is a first-class experience in Business Class. Our judges rated it as one of the best overall business-class products they had seen. It sets a standard to which some airlines can only aspire.”</p> <p>Qsuite, patented by Qatar Airways, features the industry’s first-ever double bed available in Business Class, with privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room. Adjustable panels and moveable TV monitors on the centre four seats allow colleagues, friends or families travelling together to transform their space into a private suite, allowing them to work, dine and socialise together.</p> <p>In May 2018, Qatar Airways introduced an enhanced onboard dining experience for its Business Class passengers. The new dining concept features newly-designed tableware, in-flight dining menus, cutlery and chinaware that are specially crafted to meet travellers’ high expectations and elevate their experience on board.</p> <p>These awards add to a year of continued success for Qatar Airways, which was named the ‘World’s Best Business Class’ by the 2018 Skytrax World Airline Awards. It was also named the ‘Best Business Class Seat’, the ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, and the ‘World’s Best First-Class Airline Lounge’.</p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-22', 'modified' => '2018-11-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9253', 'image' => '20181122021235_Qatar-Airways.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-22 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">WASHINGTON DC, August 4: US Central Command's General Michael Kurilla arrived in the region on Saturday amid preparations for a possible attack by Iran on Israel in response to the recent killings of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, US-based news website Axios reported, citing two US officials. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">General Kurilla's visit, which was planned before the recent escalation between Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah following the killing of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, is now seen as a strategic move. He is expected to mobilise the international and regional coalition that previously defended Israel against an attack from Iran on April 13, Axios reported, citing a US official. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Three US and Israeli officials said that they expect Iran to launch an attack on Israel as early as Monday. Iranian and Hezbollah leaders have pledged to retaliate for the killings of Hezbollah's top military commander, Fuad Shukr, and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to a US official, Kurilla is expected to visit several Gulf nations, including Israel and Jordan. Jordan is a key stop, as it played an important role during the April 13 attack by intercepting Iranian drones bound for Israel and allowing US and Israeli jets to use its airspace for interception. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The official said that the US hopes the same will happen again if needed. The US is boosting its forces in the Middle East in preparation for Iran's possible attack on Israel and sending more warships and fighter jets to the region, the Pentagon said on Friday, according to Axios report. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">US officials expect Iranian retaliation to follow a similar pattern as their previous attack on Israel but may also involve Hezbollah in Lebanon, Axios reported. The US government is concerned that it may be more difficult to mobilise the international and regional cooperation of nations that defended Israel from the previous Iranian attack, as Haniyeh's killing has drawn sharp sentiments against Israel across the region. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">US and Israeli officials said they do not know whether Iran and Hezbollah will carry out a coordinated attack or operate separately. The officials said that they think Iran and Hezbollah are still working on finalising their military plans and giving them approval at the political level. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A US official said the Biden administration wanted to announce the bolstering of US forces on Friday as Iran and Hezbollah were discussing regarding their response with the hope that the announcement will help to deter and influence their military plans. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">When asked on Saturday whether he believes Iran will back down, US President Joe Biden replied, "I hope so. I don't know." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">On July 31, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an attack in Tehran. In a statement, the IRGC said that Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed when their residence was hit in Tehran. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A projectile hit a residence allocated to war veterans in Tehran at 2 am (local time) on Wednesday, according to a Press TV report. Ismail Haniyeh, who was based in Qatar, travelled to Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Iranian President-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a Press TV report. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in the Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Tuesday (local time).The IDF said Shukr was "responsible for the majority of Hezbollah's most advanced weaponry, including precise-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets, and UAVs" and for the terror group's "force build-up, planning, and execution of terror attacks against the State of Israel," The Times of Israel reported. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">On July 30, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his nation has delivered "crushing blows" to enemies in the last few days, CNN reported. He made the remarks hours after the deaths of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. -- ANI/RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-04', 'modified' => '2024-08-04', 'keywords' => 'Israel, Iran, attack, US, general, Kurilla, tensions, middle, east', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21460', 'image' => '20240804011446_PALXUO3RX5HNPBAUYHCNHNOOEQ.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-04 13:13:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21185', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Modi Heads for Victory in India Vote, but no Landslide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed expectations. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed expectations. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Commentators and exit polls had projected an overwhelming victory for Modi, whose campaign wooed the Hindu majority to the worry of the country's 200-million-plus Muslim community, deepening concerns over minority rights. But for the first time in a decade Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could fail to secure an overall majority of its own, figures from the election commission projected, meaning it would need to rely on its alliance partners. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The main opposition Congress party was set to nearly double its parliamentary seats, in a remarkable turnaround largely driven by deals to field single candidates against the BJP's electoral juggernaut. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">With 92 percent of votes counted, the BJP's vote share at 37.1 percent was marginally lower than it was in the last polls in 2019. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi was re-elected to his constituency representing the Hindu holy city of Varanasi by a margin of 152,000 votes -- compared to nearly half a million votes five years ago. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The election commission figures showed the BJP and its allies leading in at least 282 seats out of a total of 543, enough for a parliamentary majority. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">But the BJP itself was only leading in 239, well down on the 303 it won five years ago, while the Congress was ahead in 99, up from 52. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">'Moral defeat' </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Celebrations had already begun at the headquarters of Modi's BJP before the full announcement of results. But the mood at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi was also one of jubilation. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"BJP has failed to win a big majority on its own," Congress lawmaker Rajeev Shukla told reporters. "It's a moral defeat for them." </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Stocks slumped on speculation the reduced majority would hamper the BJP's ability to push through reforms. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shares in the main listed unit of Adani Enterprises -- owned by key Modi ally Gautam Adani -- dropped 25 percent, before recovering. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi's opponents have struggled to counter the BJP's well-oiled and well-funded campaign machine, and have been hamstrung by what they say are politically motivated criminal cases aimed at hobbling challengers. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">US think tank Freedom House said this year that the BJP had "increasingly used government institutions to target political opponents". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of the capital Delhi and a key leader in an alliance formed to compete against Modi, returned to jail on Sunday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Kejriwal, 55, was detained in March over a long-running corruption probe, but was later released and allowed to campaign as long as he returned to custody once voting ended. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"When power becomes dictatorship, then jail becomes a responsibility," Kejriwal said before surrendering himself, vowing to continue "fighting" from behind bars. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">'Strength of Indian democracy' </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Many of India's Muslim minority are increasingly uneasy about their futures and their community's place in the constitutionally secular country. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi himself made several strident comments about Muslims on the campaign trail, referring to them as "infiltrators". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The polls were staggering in their size and logistical complexity, with 642 million voters casting their ballots -- ranging from megacities New Delhi and Mumbai, as well as in sparsely populated forest areas and the high-altitude Himalayas. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"People should know about the strength of Indian democracy," chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar said Monday, calling the counting process "robust". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Based on the commission's figure of an electorate of 968 million, turnout came to 66.3 percent, down roughly one percentage point from 67.4 percent in the last polls in 2019. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Analysts have partly blamed the lower turnout on a searing heatwave across northern India, with temperatures over 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). – AFP/RSS</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-05', 'modified' => '2024-06-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20909', 'image' => '20240605011011_mdi.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-05 13:09:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21035', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Iran's President Raisi, FM die in Helicopter Crash: State TV ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'TEHRAN: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian died in a helicopter crash, state-run IRIB TV reported Monday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">TEHRAN: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian died in a helicopter crash, state-run IRIB TV reported Monday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The helicopter carrying Raisi and other senior officials was forced into a hard landing in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan due to the bad weather on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The other members of Raisi's accompanying team, including East Azarbaijan's Governor Malek Rahmati, and the Friday prayers leader Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ale-Hasehem, as well as the flight crew also lost their lives, the report said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The tragedy occurred while Raisi was on his way from Khoda Afarin County, where he had attended the inauguration ceremony of a storage dam, to the provincial capital Tabriz for the inauguration of a petrochemical complex. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Media reports said images show the helicopter crashed into a mountain peak. State news agency IRNA said Raisi was flying in a U.S.-made Bell 212 helicopter. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Fog and rain had hampered the search operation before rescuers spotted the helicopter earlier in the day. – Xinhua/RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-20', 'modified' => '2024-05-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20762', 'image' => '20240520040139_20240519101630_ebrahim-raisi-1-6850811-1713371489836.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-20 16:01:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21027', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Helicopter Carrying Iran’s President Crashes', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi was involved in "an accident" in poor weather conditions on Sunday, state media reported, with a search underway and no news yet on his condition.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi was involved in "an accident" in poor weather conditions on Sunday, state media reported, with a search underway and no news yet on his condition.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Iranian state media said the crash occurred on Sunday near Jolfa in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Raisi was returning from a visit to neighbouring Azerbaijan, where he had travelled to inaugurate a dam alongside the country’s President Ilham Aliyev, when the incident took place.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">His convoy included three helicopters, and the other two had "reached their destination safely," according to Tasnim news agency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">People who were with the president inside the helicopter managed to make an emergency call, according to the semiofficial Tasnim News Agency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Search and rescue team were headed to the remote mountain area, state media in the Islamic republic reported, adding that Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was also aboard the aircraft.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"The harsh weather conditions and heavy fog have made it difficult for the rescue teams to reach the accident site," state TV said in an on-screen news alert.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">State TV broadcast footage of an Iranian Red Crescent team walking up a slope in thick fog, as well as live footage of crowds of worshippers reciting prayers in the holy Shrine of Imam Reza in the city Mashhad, Raisi's hometown. -- AGENCIES</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-19', 'modified' => '2024-05-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20754', 'image' => '20240519101630_ebrahim-raisi-1-6850811-1713371489836.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-19 22:15:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20988', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Orders Privatisation of All State-Owned Enterprises ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Islamabad: :Amid the staggering economic crisis in the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced to privatise all state-owned enterprises except for strategically important entities, ARY News reported. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Islamabad: :Amid the staggering economic crisis in the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced to privatise all state-owned enterprises except for strategically important entities, ARY News reported. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairing a review meeting on matters related to the Ministry of Privatization and Privatization Commission in Islamabad, the prime minister said apart from strategic state-owned enterprises, all other enterprises, whether profitable or loss-making, will be privatised. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the meeting, the privatisation ministry and the Privatisation Commission presented a roadmap for the Privatisation Program 2024-29, ARY News reported. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">PM Shehbaz said the government had nothing to do with running the businesses but was mandated to facilitate the investors. He viewed that the privatisation of SOEs would save the taxpayers' money to help the government provide quality services to the people. "Government's job is not to do business but to ensure a business and investment-friendly environment," the premier said, ARY News reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">PM Shehbaz Sharif also directed all federal ministries to take necessary action in this regard and cooperate with the Privatization Commission. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He directed to live telecast of Pakistan International Airlines Company Limited's (PIA) privatisation including bidding and other important steps. The process of privatisation of other institutions will also be broadcast live. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">ARY News reported that the meeting was informed about the progress made so far for the privatization of state-owned enterprises. It was informed that the pre-qualification process for PIA privatization is to be completed by the end of this month. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The meeting was told that the privatisation of power distribution companies has been included in the privatisation program 2024-2029. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It was informed that loss-making state-owned enterprises are to be privatized on a priority basis and that a pre-qualified panel of experts is being appointed in the privatization commission to speed up the privatization process. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The meeting was attended by federal ministers Khawaja Asif, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Jam Kamal Khan, Awais Ahmed Leghari, Abdul Aleem Khan, Musaddik Malik and Ahad Khan Cheema, PM's Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal, and relevant senior officers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A day earlier, Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb had directed all concerned ministries and divisions to submit proposals for the categorisation of their respective State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) by May 20. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The categorisation is a part of a comprehensive review of the rationale for retaining commercial functions within the public sector, according to a press release issued by the finance ministry. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Central Monitoring Unit of the Finance Division presented its ongoing work on the compilation of the Federal SOE Annual Financial Report for fiscal year 2023. The DG CMU informed the meeting that the data of all commercial entities has been obtained & collated, while the analytical work was currently underway. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The committee was briefed on the highlights of the performance of SOEs during the reporting period. The minister noted that there were a number of gaps in the governance and financial management of companies that needed to be addressed immediately and directed that the vacancies on the BOD's should be filled without delay, ARY News reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Last Friday, the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCOP) approved 24 state-owned enterprises for the privatisation programme, directing the privatisation ministry to deliberate the phasing of each entity in consultation with the respective ministries. – ANI/RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-15', 'modified' => '2024-05-15', 'keywords' => 'international, Pakistan, privatisation, state, owned, enterprises, airlines, prime, minister, government, business', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20715', 'image' => '20240515122410_pia-pakistan-international-airlines.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-15 12:22:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17442', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'OPEC+ Announces Surprise Oil Output Cuts', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) + oil producers on Sunday announced cuts of oil production by around 1.16 million barrels per day to stop oil prices from falling in the market. ', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">April 4: Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) + oil producers on Sunday announced cuts of oil production by around 1.16 million barrels per day to stop oil prices from falling in the market. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Following the announcement of production cuts, oil prices have surged. The price of Brent crude oil is trading above $84 a barrel after jumping by more than 5%.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Sunday's development comes a day before a virtual meeting of an OPEC+ ministerial panel, which includes Saudi Arabia and Russia, and which had been expected to stick to 2 million bpd of cuts already in place until the end of 2023. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Oil prices soared when Russia invaded Ukraine, but are now back at levels seen before the conflict began.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Responding to the latest cuts, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council said: "We don't think cuts are advisable at this moment given market uncertainty - and we've made that clear."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The reduction in output is being made by members of the Opec+ oil producers. The group accounts for about 40% of all the world's crude oil output.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Saudi Arabia is reducing output by 500,000 barrels per day and Iraq by 211,000. The UAE, Kuwait, Algeria and Oman are also making cuts.The Saudi energy ministry said the kingdom's voluntary reduction was a precautionary measure aimed at supporting the stability of the oil market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Last October, OPEC+ had agreed to an output cut of 2 million bpd from November until the end of the 2023, a move that angered Washington as tighter supply boosts oil prices. (Agencies) </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-03', 'modified' => '2023-04-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17177', 'image' => '20230403044225_collage - 2023-04-03T164051.696.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-03 16:37:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17411', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => '300 Million People Could Lose Jobs to Artificial Intelligence Worldwide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The way in which AI tools like ChatGPT are advancing would not be too surprising if most human jobs are replaced by AI tools. Now a report by Goldman Sachs has claimed that ChatGPT and the other AI tools could actually replace more than 300 million jobs.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"> March 30: The way in which AI tools like ChatGPT are advancing would not be too surprising if most human jobs are replaced by AI tools. Now a report by Goldman Sachs has claimed that ChatGPT and the other AI tools could actually replace more than 300 million jobs. Interestingly, ChatGPT, which has now received an upgraded lamguage model, GPT-4, listed 20 jobs it can replace.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Goldman Sachs economists predicted in a report that 18% of work globally could be computerized, with the effects felt more deeply in advanced economies than emerging markets.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">White-collar workers are seen to be more at risk than manual laborers owing to the use of artificial intelligence. Administrative workers and lawyers are expected to be most affected, the economists said, compared to the “little effect” seen on physically demanding or outdoor occupations, such as construction and repair work.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">In the United States and Europe, approximately two-thirds of current jobs “are exposed to some degree of AI automation,” and up to a quarter of all work could be done by AI completely, the bank estimates.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">If generative technology behind ChatGPT “delivers on its promised capabilities, the labor market could face significant disruption,” the economists wrote. Of late, ChatGPT, the chatbot sensation, has taken the world by storm.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">ChatGPT, which can answer prompts and write essays, has already prompted many businesses to rethink how people should work every day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">This month, its developer unveiled the latest version of the software behind the bot, GPT-4. The platform has quickly impressed early users with its ability to simplify coding, rapidly create a website from a simple sketch and pass exams with high marks.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Further use of such AI will likely lead to job losses, the Goldman Sachs economists wrote. But they noted that technological innovation that initially displaces workers has historically also created employment growth over the long haul.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">While workplaces may shift, widespread adoption of AI could ultimately increase labor productivity — and boost global GDP by 7% annually over a 10-year period, according to Goldman Sachs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“Although the impact of AI on the labor market is likely to be significant, most jobs and industries are only partially exposed to automation and are thus more likely to be complemented rather than substituted by AI,” the economists added.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“Most workers are employed in occupations that are partially exposed to AI automation and, following AI adoption, will likely apply at least some of their freed-up capacity toward productive activities that increase output.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“The combination of significant labor cost savings, new job creation, and a productivity boost for non-displaced workers raises the possibility of a labor productivity boom like those that followed the emergence of earlier general-purpose technologies like the electric motor and personal computer,” researchers stated. (agencies)</span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-30', 'modified' => '2023-03-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17146', 'image' => '20230330034303_collage - 2023-03-30T153721.796.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-30 15:37:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17277', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => ' Prices of Maize, Wheat, Rice Drop Worldwide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Prices of maize, wheat and rice have dropped throughout the world. Prices of food items such as maize, wheat and rice fell in the two weeks before March 9, according to the World Bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"> <br /> March 15: Prices of maize, wheat and rice have dropped throughout the world. Prices of food items such as maize, wheat and rice fell in the two weeks before March 9, according to the World Bank.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Corn prices are down by six percent in the review period, compared to the two weeks ago. Wheat prices have fallen by 7 percent, while the value of the rice is down by two percent. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">During the same period last year, the price of the wheat was cheaper by 15 percent though. Prices of maize and wheat have become dearer by 24 and 7 percent respectively compared to the January of 2021, said the World Bank. Rice, however, has become cheaper by 3 percent.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Prices of agricultural products and food have dropped by 2 and 5 percent respectively compared to the value of two weeks ago. (Agencies) </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-03-15', 'modified' => '2023-03-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17015', 'image' => '20230315052620_collage - 2023-03-15T162423.447.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-03-15 17:22:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16989', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Huge Amount of Lithium Reserves Found in Jammu and Kashmir ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Huge amounts of lithium reserves have been found for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir. Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in EV batteries. ', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">India (February 10): Huge amounts of lithium reserves have been found for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir. Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in EV batteries. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">So far, India has depended on Australia and Argentina for lithium imports. The Geological Survey of India found the lithium reserves in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir, India's Ministry of Mines said. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">As much as 5.9m tonnes of the mineral have been discovered in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2021, much smaller deposits of the mineral were found in the southern state of Karnataka.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">"For the first time, lithium reserves have been discovered and that too in Jammu and Kashmir," Mines Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj said. Earlier, the government had said that it was looking to improve its supply of rare metals needed to boost new technologies and was looking for sources in India and abroad.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Around the world the demand for rare metals, including lithium, has increased as countries look to adopt greener solutions to slow down climate change.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Lithium is extracted from hard rocks and underground brine reservoirs largely found in Australia, Chile and Argentina.<br /> After the mineral is mined, it is roasted using fossil fuels, searing the landscape and leaving behind scars. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The extraction process also requires a lot of water and releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. According to the World Bank, mining of crucial minerals will need to increase by 500% to meet global climate targets by 2050.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">However, experts say that the process of mining lithium is not environment-friendly. (Agencies)</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-02-10', 'modified' => '2023-02-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16727', 'image' => '20230210052100_collage - 2023-02-10T171719.098.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-02-10 17:15:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16843', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Saudi Arabia to Offer up to 200,000 jobs to Sri Lankans in 2023', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Saudi Arabia will offer up to 200,000 jobs to Sri Lankan youths in 2023. ', 'content' => '<p><br /> <span style="font-size:20px">January 25: Saudi Arabia will offer up to 200,000 jobs to Sri Lankan youths in 2023. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Sri Lankan Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara on Tuesday said Saudi Arabia is willing to take up to 200,000 Sri Lankan workers in 2023.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The minister told the media that Saudi Arabia offered 54,000 jobs to Sri Lankan youths in 2022, adding that over 300,000 Sri Lankans went for foreign jobs in 2022 and most went to the Middle East.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Workers' remittance is one of the main sources of foreign revenues for Sri Lanka.<br /> Sri Lankan migrant workers remitted around 3.8 billion U.S. Dollars in 2022, the data at the country's central bank showed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Following an unprecedented economic crisis, Sri Lanka’s Defense Ministry announced on Friday that it would give retirement to 65,000 soldiers from its 200,000-strong army over the year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">President Ranil Wickremesinghe has recently hiked taxes and imposed harsh spending cuts to smooth the passage of an expected International Monetary Fund bail-out following a government debt default. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The Island nation has been facing a shortage of food and fuel for months since the outbreak of the COVID-19. (Agencies) </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-01-25', 'modified' => '2023-01-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16583', 'image' => '20230125045442_collage (87).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-01-25 16:49:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9513', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'ADB to provide Rs 16.92 bn in loan assistance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide USD 15 million (equivalent to Rs 16.92 billion) loan as development assistance.', 'content' => '<p>November 27: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide USD 15 million (equivalent to Rs 16.92 billion) loan as development assistance for urban water supply and sanitation project and for SASEC Power System Expansion Project, according to Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS).</p> <p>According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Monday, November 26, the loan available under the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project will support expansion of access to community-managed water supply and sanitation in 20 municipalities by improving water supply and sanitation infrastructure and strengthening capacity of the relevant institutions and communities.</p> <p>The additional loan financing for SASEC Power System Expansion Project supports to increase power transmission capacity, improve distribution network, increase mini grid-based renewable energy systems in off-grid areas, develop capacity of Nepal Electricity Authority and Alternative Energy Promotion Centre and develop a utility-scale solar photovoltaic project, the national news agency RSS further stated.</p> <p>Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Dr Rajan Khanal and ADB’s Country Director for Nepal Mukhtor Khamudkhanov signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations</p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-27', 'modified' => '2018-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9288', 'image' => '20181127012248_ADB.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-27 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9509', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Christian Dior Launches Podium at Hamad Int’l Airport', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: Inspired by the love of perfume, Qatar Duty Free (QDF) and Parfums Christian Dior have launched a Dior Les Parfums Podium at Hamad International Airport (HIA).', 'content' => '<p>November 27: Inspired by the love of perfume, Qatar Duty Free (QDF) and Parfums Christian Dior have launched a Dior Les Parfums Podium at Hamad International Airport (HIA), designed as a tribute to fragrance creation.</p> <p>According to a statement issued by Qatar Airways, Dior Les Parfums takes passengers on a virtual journey to Grasse gardens, with a 360° screen, encompassing them with beautiful aromas and transporting them to the south of France. The podium is also equipped with wrapping stations, and consultation opportunities with beauty advisors.</p> <p>Speaking at the opening ceremony, Parfums Christian Dior’s Senior Vice President of Travel Retail Worldwide, Olivier Dubos, noted, “At Christian Dior, we have always loved perfume, and it is part of our history. This is the fourth edition of Dior Les Parfums in partnership with Qatar Airways Group.</p> <p>“Dior Les Parfums conveys our love for perfume, deeply rooted in the south of France. We have the honor today to have with us François Demachy, who imagines all our perfumes, being based in the magical region of Grasse, the world capital of Perfumery. This pop-up is our way of bringing Grasse to people from all over the world travelling through this prestigious airport. We will take them on a sensorial journey of discovery to experience the virtual Grasse gardens, with a 360° screen encompassing them with beautiful flowers, and living the Dior fragrance experience like nowhere else."</p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-27', 'modified' => '2018-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9286', 'image' => '20181127123414_qatar.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-27 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9496', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => '‘Nepal Talanoa Dialogue’ Aims to Foster Progressive Climate Change', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 25: The Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal, and the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal hosted the ‘Nepal Talanoa Dialogue’ on November 22.', 'content' => '<p>November 25: The Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal, and the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal hosted the ‘Nepal Talanoa Dialogue’ on November 22.</p> <p>Addressing the opening session of the event, Minister for Forests and Environment, Shakti Bahadur Basnet , said the issue of climate change has a lot of prominence not only because it is an issue being debated globally but also because Nepal is placed in the top list of countries that are being adversely affected.</p> <p>"We in Nepal are more keen to discuss about climate change since we are having to bear the negative impacts although our contributions to the overall carbon emissions globally is very low," a joint statement issued by the ministry and the EU delegation quoted Minister Basnet as saying.</p> <p>He expressed hope that the Talanoa dialogue being organized by the ministry with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal would identify the possible areas of cooperation among different partners and pave the way forward for a more resilient and prosperous Nepal.</p> <p>Secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Dr Bishwa Nath Oli said, that there are clear evidences of rise in global temperature which should be checked through concerted efforts of all nations.</p> <p>He said that Nepal views climate change as a development issue and has been working towards identifying the appropriate ways of becoming more climate resilient through the adoption of more environment-friendly technology. Its goals are to strive ahead in the development front by cutting down carbon emissions to the lowest level possible, Dr Oli added.</p> <p>European Union Ambassador to Nepal Veronica Cody said that the outcomes of the dialogue will be helpful for the Government of Nepal to take forward at the UNFCCC conference, contributing to the assessment of collective progress and securing a meaningful outcome at the COP 24 in Katowice, Poland this December. The Talanoa Dialogue is considered as an inclusive, participatory and transparent dialogue.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-25', 'modified' => '2018-11-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9270', 'image' => '20181125033849_Clipboard01.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-25 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9477', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Qatar Airways Clinches New Awards', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 22: Qatar Airways bagged yet another award as its revolutionary Qsuite was named the ‘Best Business Class’ in the Airline Excellence Awards 2019 organised by AirlineRatings. ', 'content' => '<p>November 22: Qatar Airways bagged yet another award as its revolutionary Qsuite was named the ‘Best Business Class’ in the Airline Excellence Awards 2019 organised by AirlineRatings. The airline’s renowned dine-on-demand in flight cuisine was also named the ‘Best Catering,’ reads a statement issued by the airline company.</p> <p>According to Qatar Airways, the annual airline ratings awards, one of Australia’s most trusted travel industry awards, acknowledges the best in the airline industry and are based on votes by national travel editors who have a combined experience of over 150 years.</p> <p>Airlineratings.com Editor-in Chief, Geoffrey Thomas, said: “Qatar Airways has always been a trendsetter by raising the bar, and its new Qsuite is the epitome of that drive and a natural choice as AirlineRatings.com best Business Class for 2019. Qsuite is a first-class experience in Business Class. Our judges rated it as one of the best overall business-class products they had seen. It sets a standard to which some airlines can only aspire.”</p> <p>Qsuite, patented by Qatar Airways, features the industry’s first-ever double bed available in Business Class, with privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room. Adjustable panels and moveable TV monitors on the centre four seats allow colleagues, friends or families travelling together to transform their space into a private suite, allowing them to work, dine and socialise together.</p> <p>In May 2018, Qatar Airways introduced an enhanced onboard dining experience for its Business Class passengers. The new dining concept features newly-designed tableware, in-flight dining menus, cutlery and chinaware that are specially crafted to meet travellers’ high expectations and elevate their experience on board.</p> <p>These awards add to a year of continued success for Qatar Airways, which was named the ‘World’s Best Business Class’ by the 2018 Skytrax World Airline Awards. It was also named the ‘Best Business Class Seat’, the ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, and the ‘World’s Best First-Class Airline Lounge’.</p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-22', 'modified' => '2018-11-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9253', 'image' => '20181122021235_Qatar-Airways.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-22 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
