US Air Force bombers escorted by fighter jets flew over waters east of North Korea on Saturday. The Pentagon said it was a show of force designed to show the range of military options available to President Trump. This is the farthest north of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) any U.S. aircraft has flown off North Korea’s coast in the 21st …
Read More »Explained: Kurdistan’s controversial independence referendum
By: Chris Harris All you need to know about Kurdistan’s bid to split from Baghdad. What is happening? Kurdistan, an autonomous region in northern Iraq, will hold a referendum on Monday, September 25, calling for full independence from Baghdad. Why is it important? Experts say the electorate is likely to give the thumbs up to independence and, with …
Read More »Unlearn, relearn
THE nature of work and its corresponding job skills are constantly changing. It is estimated that 65pc of children entering primary school and up to 40pc of tertiary students will ultimately end up working in completely new types of jobs that have yet to be created, and some of the skills they are learning will become obsolete during their working …
Read More »Pakistan is a water-stressed country and an innovative mindset is needed
ISLAMABAD: Despite having one of the world’s largest glaciers, Pakistan is at risk of water scarcity and is among the 36 most water-stressed countries in the world. Per capita water availability in the country has declined from 5,260 cubic meters in 1951 to below 1,100 cubic meters in 2010. This is an alarming indicator of falling into the category of …
Read More »Great Central Asia, America’s counter measure to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
China’s ambitious global geo-political objective has raised concern among American strategists, which China attempts to Isolate America at the global level. The claim has become more evident during the G20 summit when China curbed president Trump effort to pass a joint declaration in order to condemn North Korea’s recent ICBM test. Newly, the Pentagon alleged China and there was also …
Read More »The corruption imperative
Corruption is now widely discussed and condemned in Pakistan. There seems to be a growing realisation that corruption isn’t just about kickbacks, embezzlement and fraud. Instead, with its complex fiscal, intellectual and ethical ramifications, it has far-reaching consequences. From endangering life, hurting prospects for development and economic growth and widening inequalities to weakening the social fabric, fostering terrorism, imperiling the …
Read More »Stemming the Tide: The Halting of Brain Drain in Pakistan vis-à-vis CPEC
Since the independence of Pakistan, the South Asian drive and appreciation of occupational niches and resultant prestige has continued to render a distinguished cadre of educated professionals within a variety of fields, whether it be medicine, engineering, legal affairs, and the bureaucracy. However, as cracks began to appear in the country’s methods relating to meritocracy in the workplace and in …
Read More »Pakistan’s water challenges
Pakistani and Indian officials met for the second time in two months in Washington to find ways to resolve their long-running disputes relating to water distribution between the two neighbouring countries. The two days of talks, brokered by the World Bank, focused on Pakistan’s objections on Ratle (850MW) and Kishanganga (330MW) hydroelectric projects of India on Chenab and Jhelum which …
Read More »PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s speech at UNGA
Mr. President, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me first congratulate Mr. Miroslav Lajcak on his election as the President of the 72nd session of the General Assembly. I am confident that his long experience in public service and international relations will be an asset in successfully guiding this august Assembly to address the imposing challenges of security, development …
Read More »What’s the U.S.’s Best Chance With North Korea? Russia
MOSCOW — Russia is usually seen as relatively unimportant to most discussions about the North Korea nuclear crisis, yet it is in a unique position to help de-escalate it. Despite rising tensions between Moscow and Washington — over Russia’s interventions in Crimea and Syria, and the very principles of the world order — Russia has voted twice in recent weeks …
Read More »