The curse of the oracle – Newspaper
THE Palestinian woman was breastfeeding her baby in a tattered shelter abutting the ruins of her devastated home. Right then, a direct sniper shot pierced the infant’s semi-formed skull, leaving a limp body without scratching the mother. The child evidently posed a threat to the ancient oracle’s prophecy for a country called Israel, which would […]
Dire straits
FOR some time, the escalating confrontation between the US and Iran has been playing out round the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Both states want to manage the international waterway, which has a key role in global trade, particularly in the transport of hydrocarbons. Tensions flared last week when the Iranians attacked ships using a […]
FCC clears hurdles to completion of Nai Gaj Dam – Business
• Sets aside SHC orders allowing contractor to claim price escalation beyond agreed terms• Orders completion of remaining work under original contract ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Monday set aside a series of Sindh High Court (SHC) orders in the long-delayed Nai Gaj Dam dispute and directed the contractor to complete the remaining […]
UK to change law in bid to deport Rochdale grooming gang ringleader Shabir Ahmed – World
LONDON: UK Home Minister Shabana Mahmood announced plans on Monday to change British law to allow a convicted paedophile, who led a so-called grooming gang, to be deported following his release from prison. Shabir Ahmed was jailed in 2012 for 22 years for multiple child sexual offences including rape when he was the ringleader of […]
NA panel flags key hurdles to e-bike rollout in Pakistan – Business
ISLAMABAD: While the government is pushing to replace petrol-powered motorcycles with electric two-wheelers, a sub-committee of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Industries was informed on Monday that Pakistan lacks a dedicated regulatory authority for e-motorcycles, while the absence of a comprehensive lithium battery policy has encouraged the sale of substandard batteries. Soon after the […]
Battery storage made mandatory for power auctions – Business
ISLAMABAD: Facing serious duck-curve challenges, the government has decided to make Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) mandatory as part of the upcoming auction of 800MW of surplus power capacity at a wheeling charge to help stabilise electricity supply. After more than 30 years’ delay, the government has announced the auction process for a notional 800MW […]
Gold down as US-Iran tensions reignite oil rally
KARACHI: Gold prices in Pakistan declined on Monday, mirroring sharp losses in the international market, where the yellow metal fell nearly 3%. The drop came after US President Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of a naval blockade on Iran, which boosted oil markets, reignited inflation concerns, and raised expectations of higher-for-longer US rates. In the […]
Government’s 35% TTS promise falls short
Professors get mere 4% raise as assistants receive 55% increase, faculty cries foul ISLAMABAD: After five years, the federal government has increased salaries of foreign-qualified university faculty, but the revision has further complicated the issue, as professors have been given a maximum 4% raise while assistant professors received up to 55%. The notification issued by […]