Thursday, January 3, 2019

AIOU holds academic seminar on use of new technology

AIOU holds academic seminar on use of new technology

AIOU holds academic seminar on use of new technology


ISLAMABAD, JAN 03 - Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) held here a seminar on application of new technology (3D printing) in academic programs.

The scholars and academicians during the daylong seminar were given detailed briefing on use of 3D Printing in various sectors including engineering, architecture, industrial designing and construction.

It was the part of the University’s new initiatives that aimed at bringing innovations in the teachings and learning system.

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Badar Jahangir Kiani, a student of Electrical engineering in Case Western Reserve University, USA was the resource person at the seminar , arranged by the office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC).

He gave basic review on the new technology and explained 3D printing process in academic pursuits.

The event was presided over by the University’s Registrar Dr. Muhammad Zaigham Qadeer who underlined the need of inducing new technology in the contents ‘delivery system.

He assured that the University will facilitate its students to understand and implement the D-3 Printing in their academic programs.

Other speakers including Dr. Naghama Nashid, Director ORIC spoke about the importance of 3D printing in modern era and its relevance to innovation, particularly in the context of new academic needs for ensuring quality education.

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Pakistan abolishes on-arrival visa for Afghan nationals

Pakistan abolishes on-arrival visa for Afghan nationals

Pakistan abolishes on-arrival visa for Afghan nationals


ISLAMABAD, JAN 03 - Pakistan on Thursday abolished the long-standing facility of on arrival visas for Afghan nationals.

According to the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) immigration wing, the move comes due to increased security risks emanating from the western border.

Following the decision, the government also restricted the mobility of Afghan nationals in the country and halted visa issuance on airports and borders crossing points.

FIA Immigration Director Ismatullah Junejo said Afghan nationals were being granted a 30-day visa on arrival at entry points. As the new policy comes into effect, they will be required to apply for a visa from Pakistani missions in Afghanistan.

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Once issued a visa, the Afghan nationals will be allowed entry into Pakistan. Upon entry, they will be asked to fill out details including the time period and place of stay. 

The details, in Form C, will be forwarded to security agencies for verification.

Once the details are verified, the Afghan nationals will be issued residence and travel permits.

Earlier, Afghan nationals holding Afghan passports, living in Pakistan were allowed visa extension for a period of six months with one re-entry allowed.
“Afghan origin/third country passports holders are initially granted 45-days visa by our missions abroad except Pakistan Mission in Afghanistan. 

They are allowed a further extension for 45-days,” reads the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports website.

Immigration officials told that a total of 24 countries were now given on-arrival visa facility. These include Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Belgium, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Norway, New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom, Thailand, Spain and Singapore.

The move casts doubts over Prime Minister Imran Khan’s pledge to grant citizenship to around 1.5 million Afghan refugees who have resided in Pakistan for decades.
“Afghans whose children have been raised and born in Pakistan will be granted citizenship Inshallah (God willing) because this is the established practice in countries around the world,” the premier had said.  

“They are humans. How come we have deprived them and have not arranged for offering them national identification card and passport for 30 years, 40 years?”

Pakistan has the largest refugee population in the world, according to the United Nations. The refugees are mostly 2.7 million Afghan nationals who fled the country due to war, violence and ensuing economic turmoil. 

The UN surveys estimate that 60 per cent of the Afghan refugee population is Pakistan-born.

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Wednesday, January 2, 2019

As Hong Kong tightens screws on rebellion, democracy moves further out of reach

As Hong Kong tightens screws on rebellion, democracy moves further out of reach

As Hong Kong tightens screws on rebellion, democracy moves further out of reach


HONG KONG, JAN 02 - "If this is the cup I must take, I will drink with no regret." Benny Tai was defiant and emotional as he faced the court. 

Outside, he and his fellow defendants raised their fists and supporters displayed yellow umbrellas, the symbol of Hong Kong's beleaguered pro-democracy movement.

That movement is looking shakier than ever, as Tai and others begin the new year facing possible jail time -- up to seven years in prison -- for their roles in inspiring the 2014 Umbrella Movement, when tens of thousands of people took to the streets of the semi-autonomous Chinese city demanding elections free of Beijing's interference.

Several thousand people -- including former Umbrella leaders -- took part in a traditional New Year's march Tuesday, warning of "shrinking freedoms" and issuing a call for greater democracy.

They were joined by a small group of pro-independence demonstrators, some of whom said they faced harassment and intimidation ahead of the gathering.

On Wednesday, a spokesman for the Hong Kong government reiterated "its zero tolerance on 'Hong Kong independence'."

Police and organizers estimated the crowd to be roughly half that of last year's march, which will be a concern for the pro-democracy camp as they face a difficult 2019.

The prosecution of Tai and his co-defendants could pale in comparison to what some fear will happen if the Hong Kong government, under pressure from China, moves to pass a hugely controversial anti-sedition law.

Critics say this could criminalize swathes of opposition figures, ranging from pro-democracy activists and separatists to religious minorities and media figures critical of Beijing.

Unlikely icon

Tai, a mild-mannered Hong Kong University professor with a round clean-shaven face and thin-rimmed glasses, was a marginal political figure when, in January 2013, he proposed a civil disobedience campaign to pressure the government to introduce universal political suffrage — a long overdue promise of Hong Kong's de facto constitution known as the Basic Law.

Joined by fellow professor Chan Kin-man and Reverend Chu Yiu-ming, Tai launched "Occupy Central with Love and Peace" later that year, with a protest date set for October 2014.

"We shall be like preachers communicating enthusiastically with different communities to convey universal values such as democracy, universal and equal suffrage, justice and righteousness," he said at the time, adding he hoped Hong Kongers "will be willing to pay the price."

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Hong Kongers were willing, and then some. In late September 2014, a student boycott movement led by Joshua Wong's Scholarism and the Hong Kong Federation of Students (HKFS) attempted to occupy Civic Square, a traditional protest venue outside Hong Kong's legislature. 

After police used pepper spray and later tear gas on the mostly teenaged protesters, thousands of outraged Hong Kongers took to the streets.

The demonstration spiraled from there, with pro-democracy protesters occupying main roads in parts of the city for months, shutting down traffic and defying police and counter-protesters' attempts to remove them.

Police were finally able to clear the last protesters in December 2014, after 79 days.
Pyrrhic victories

If the Umbrella Movement was a high point for Hong Kong's democrats, it's been largely downhill from there.

Even apparent opposition successes, such as those in September 2016 legislative elections, have turned out to be pyrrhic victories. 

Multiple lawmakers elected that year have since been turfed out of office on dubious legal grounds.

Wong, along with HKFS leaders Nathan Law and Alex Chow, was briefly jailed in 2017, and continues to face the threat of further prison time.

Other activists have also faced court hearings, as analysts warned of a deliberate "slow drip" of prosecutions designed to sap the pro-democracy movement.

Restrictions on political speech have grown, with the pro-independence Hong Kong National Party led by Andy Chan officially banned under public security laws, the first time these had been used against a political organization.

In the wake of that ban, Victor Mallet, a Financial Times journalist from Britain who had hosted a speech featuring Chan, had his application for a visa renewal rejected — a move which many saw as a blow against press freedom.

Activists hold flags which read "Hong Kong Independence" and "Hong Kong Is Not China" during a gathering outside the government headquarters to mark the fourth anniversary of mass pro-democracy rallies, known as the Umbrella Movement, in Hong Kong on September 28, 2018.

Political litmus tests are increasingly becoming the norm. The latest victim was Eddie Chu, who was recently barred from standing in a local poll because an election official ruled that he had "defended independence as an option to Hong Kongers," even though he himself disavowed separatism.

Bizarrely, Chu currently sits in the city's top legislature -- raising questions over whether he can retain that position if deemed unsuitable to run for a more junior one, or if he will become the latest pro-democracy lawmaker ejected from office.

These repeated setbacks have had an impact on the broader opposition movement, and protest fatigue is also a factor in a city which has become famous for them.

Numbers at anti-government demonstrations have fallen and many in the pro-democracy camp are seemingly at a loss on the way ahead in the face of an increasingly aggressive establishment.

In November, the opposition camp flunked a major test when its candidate failed by a wide margin to hang on to the legislative seat of Lau Siu-lai, who had herself been expelled in 2017.

As a result pro-democracy lawmakers were unable to regain veto power in the city's legislature, a development which could clear the way for the government to introduce its controversial anti-sedition legislation.

Worrying future

Article 23 of the Basic Law instructs the local government to "enact laws on its own to prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition, subversion against the Central People's Government ... and to prohibit political organizations or bodies of the Region from establishing ties with foreign political organizations or bodies."

An attempt to implement such a law in 2003 drew half a million people onto the streets, demanding the resignation of Hong Kong's first Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa. He stepped down less than two years later.

The protest is often pointed to as an example of the greater political freedoms which Hong Kongers enjoy compared to mainland Chinese.

Trams sit stranded as hundreds of thousands of people block the streets in a huge protest march against a controversial anti-subversion law known as Article 23 in Hong Kong in 2003.

Since then, Article 23 has loomed over Hong Kong politics, either a bogeyman or a panacea depending on one's ideological bent.

While the immediate effects of an anti-sedition law are likely overstated by its opponents (the police are probably not going to start rounding up pro-democracy legislators), it could have a major psychological and chilling effect in curbing a famously truculent body politic.

Self-censorship, while difficult to measure, is also seen as an increasing problem. As the cost of dissent has risen in Hong Kong, there are signs of a growing wariness among some sectors of society.

In November, two events featuring Chinese dissidents were called off amid apparent fears of repercussions from Beijing. One eventually went ahead after strong public pressure on the event venue to change course.

Article 23 of Hong Kong's Basic Law, an anti-sedition clause, has long loomed over the city's politics.

Chu, the lawmaker barred in December from standing in a local poll, accused the government of "moving the goalposts" to intimidate people against speaking out, lest their comments be used against them one day.

"The political logic ... comes from the Cultural Revolution, where everyone had to be thought police," he added.

In his closing statement to the court in December, Tai said the Occupy movement was ultimately intended to pursue justice and he had no regrets about standing up for Hong Kong's future.

"The purpose of civil disobedience is not to obstruct the public, but to arouse public concern to the injustice in society and to win sympathy from the public," he said.

"I am not afraid or ashamed of going to prison. If we were to be guilty, we will be guilty for daring to share hope at this difficult time in Hong Kong."

The court will hand down its verdict on April 9, 2019.

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Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) reschedules its postponed exams

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) reschedules its postponed exams

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) reschedules its postponed exams


ISLAMABAD, JAN 01 - Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has rescheduled the dates of exams' of the academic programs, which were earlier postponed due to different reasons.

The exams earlier scheduled for 31st October, 1st, 2nd and 29th November, 2018 will now be held between January 8 to 11.

According to the announcement by the Controller Exams, there will be no change in timing and exams centers. Roll number slips issued earlier will be accepted for participation in the exams.

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The University is making all possible efforts facilitating the students in the examination's process. 

The students are welcomed to get any relevant information about the exams from the help-line number 051-111-112-468, the announcement added.
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Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Turki Al-Shabanah appointed new media minister of Saudi Arabia

Turki Al-Shabanah appointed new media minister of Saudi Arabia

Turki Al-Shabanah appointed new media minister of Saudi Arabia


RIYADH, JAN 01 - Saudi Arabia has appointed Turki Al-Shabanah as the new minister of media in the recent Cabinet reshuffle.

He is a media personality known for his association with Rotana, a popular TV network, as the chief executive officer.


The media group operates a network of 13 leading channels, several radio stations, and the world’s largest Arabic movie and music libraries.


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Variety magazine recently ranked Al-Shabanah one of the 500 most influential media personalities of the world.

He has held several key positions in the Arab media industry. In 1996, he was in charge of the MBC office in the US. 


He also served as assistant to the general supervisor of MBC in London before it moved to Dubai.

In 1999, he was appointed as MBC deputy program production director, a position he held until 2003.  Al-Shabanah launched Khalijia channel in May 2005.

It was initially a music channel broadcasting mainly music videos from the Gulf region.

In 2008, Khalijia became a general-viewing channel broadcasting Saudi and Gulf region art and heritage, and taking the lead among others targeting the Gulf audience. 

He also served an adviser to Prince Alwaleed bin Talal between 2003 and 2007.

He also served as the general supervisor of MBC FM radio station and supervised the production of a number of programs produced at its stations in Cairo, Beirut, Amman and Riyadh. 

He was also the director of Rotana and LBC TV channels. He also co-founded Charisma Productions Co. with Ayman Al-Zyoud.

Al-Shabanah holds a bachelor’s degree in law from King Saud University in Riyadh, and a master’s degree in international trade law from Washington University, US.

Before starting a career in the media, he started out as an attorney in the US.

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Moulana Tariq Jameel suffers heart attack, shifted to hospital

Moulana Tariq Jameel suffers heart attack, shifted to hospital

Moulana Tariq Jameel suffers heart attack, shifted to hospital


LAHORE, JAN 01 – A prominent Pakistani religious scholar, preacher and public speaker Moulana Tariq Jameel has suffered a heart attack, and has been shifted to a private hospital in Lahore.

The eloguent speaker has promoted peace, harmony and tolerance in the society, and urged the general public to respect each other s contradictory views on religion.

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Malaysian MotoGP: Marquez wins, Rossi crashes out of lead

Malaysian MotoGP: Marquez wins, Rossi crashes out of lead

Malaysian MotoGP: Marquez wins, Rossi crashes out of lead

SEPANG, - World champion Marc Marquez won the Malaysian MotoGP Sunday despite starting in seventh position after being hit with a grid penalty, surging past Valentino Rossi who crashed out when leading.




Suzuki’s Alex Rins came in second after overtaking Yamaha rider Johann Zarco, who finished third, in the final stage of the race at Sepang.

Italian star Rossi finished 18th after tumbling off his bike on the 16th lap and losing the lead to Marquez, who was crowned world champion last month in Japan.

Nine-time world champion Rossi, second on the grid, looked to be heading for his first win in Malaysia since 2010 as he dominated the early stages.


 


However Marquez, who qualified in pole position but was hit with a six-place grid penalty for impeding another rider, slowly worked his way through the pack.

The Spaniard reached second place and was slowly closing the gap on Rossi, 39, when the Italian fell off his bike as he leaned into a corner.

He got up and continued but by that point victory had already slipped out of his grasp.

Marquez, 25, was dominant in the final stages of the race and opened up a big gap to the rest of the field.

“The start was not perfect but then I started to take out the riders step-by-step,” said Marquez. “I started to feel better and better, and I started to see I was catching (Rossi).”
Marquez also lost his pole position in the Grand Prix of the Americas in Texas in April and was dropped to fourth on the starting grid after being penalised for disturbing Maverick Vinales in qualifying.

He went on to win that race for the sixth consecutive time.

Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso, the winner in Malaysia in 2016 and 2017, could only manage sixth but retains second place in the overall standings, with Rossi’s crash leaving the Italian in third with one race remaining.

The rain stayed away after organisers shifted the start of the MotoGP two hours earlier in a bid to avoid tropical downpours, which usually occur in the late afternoon in Malaysia.
The decision came after Saturday’s qualifying session was delayed by more than an hour due to heavy rain.

Humidity and tropical rain are a constant challenge for riders at the Sepang circuit. The 2016 and 2017 editions of the MotoGP took place during heavy downpours.

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