The Express Tribune Newsletter: June 30, 2012

Today's Headlines   PM in Lahore: Warm gestures thaw Punjab-Centre frost Abdul Manan The gesture was reconciliatory, and rare. A province up in arms over the power crisis accorded a warm reception to the man who is largely believed to be responsible for the crisis – former water and power minister, and the incumbent Prime Minister, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. Election strategy: Desperate times call for drastic slashes Zafar Bhutta The Ministry of Petroleum on Friday proposed a massive cut in gas prices for domestic consumers: a whopping 18 to 51.7% effective from July 1. Abbottabad raid: Panel under pressure to keep report classified Zia Khan The Abbottabad Commission – which has completed its findings on the May 2 raid – is facing pressure from "certain powerful quarters" to not make public its report — a document that can potentially raise critical questions about the role and competence of security agencies operating in the country. Constructive talks between Pakistan, ISAF: ISPR   ISPR Pakistan and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) based in Afghanistan, built on the positive momentum on cross-border cooperation, a release said on Friday.   Business Oil trade: Pakistan and India not on the same page Zafar Bhutta Despite Pakistan granting India Most Favourite Nation (MFN) status, tensions still seem to exist as the two old foes seem reluctant to seal a big deal on oil trade in the upcoming meeting on July 12-13 in New Delhi. Short-term investment: To encourage savings, govt launches new scheme Shahbaz Rana As savings plunge to the lowest level in the country's history, the federal government has decided to boost the savings level by launching short-term saving certificates with attractive returns, almost double the rates offered by most banks. _______________________________________________ Sports 2nd Test: Pakistan seek salvation as Misbah returns Our Correspondents Pakistan go into the second Test against Sri Lanka today trailing 1-0 but with the knowledge that their captain Misbahul Haq will be part of the playing-eleven. Yasir wants to be Pakistan's next hope Natasha Raheel Pakistan's number two tennis player Yasir Khan will play local tournaments in Barcelona for three months in order to improve himself and also stand a chance of representing Pakistan in singles events. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Pashto cinema, with a kiss from Punjab Rafay Mahmood Pashto cinema is undergoing an identity crisis; it is now synonymous with buxom women with gyrating hips. Its audience is critical of these vulgar dance sequences and the days where these very films were commended for mirroring social issues are long forgotten. TV: It's drama time! Sahar Habib An analysis of three different TV dramas on air these days including 'Emaan', 'Thakan', 'Mata e Jaan Hai Tu'. _______________________________________________

Opinion Forgotten Pakistanis at Bagram Sarah Belal The price of winning an Oscar Bina Shah Zaka Ashraf and the plight of Pakistan cricket Faras Ghani Nawaz Sharif's dilemma Farrukh Khan Pitafi The other type of contempt Amina Jilani   Blogs No stupid, banning Indian films will not help Pakistani films Sher Khan How can you possibly ignore Veena? Sakina Kavi Why rote learning (unfortunately) works for Pakistan Usman Shahid Karachi's killing fields: Gunshots that don't touch our hearts Ali Kapadia Poll Do you think the government should release convicted spies on humanitarian grounds? No: 68% (347 votes) Yes: 32% (164 votes) Total Voters: 511 Links Contact us Tribune on Facebook Tribune on Twitter About us RSS Feed Subscribe to the Paper Careers Copyrights Jobs Classifieds

 

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The Express Tribune Newsletter: June 29, 2012

Today's Headlines   Rare move: Govt pledges no 'radical steps' in row with judiciary Kamran Yousaf In a unique move amidst festering political uncertainty, the government moved to placate nervous world capitals that it has no plans to take any "radical steps" which may exacerbate its ongoing row with the judiciary over the reopening of graft cases against the president. Pak-Afghan diplomacy: New prime minister to visit Kabul next month Our Correspondent Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf will travel to Kabul next month in his first foreign trip since he assumed the country's top office last week. Bad weather?: 'Nawaz cancelled Karachi trip due to leadership conflict' Hafeez Tunio The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief's claim that bad weather caused him to postpone his visit to Karachi on Tuesday might not have been a far cry from the truth after all. Cabinet committee: Pakistan Steel revival plan wins green light Our Correspondent The government has decided to gradually reduce the losses being incurred by Pakistan Steel Mills through enhancing its ability to utilise its production capacity instead of throwing more money in the blast furnace of the mils in shape of cash bailouts.    Business Avenues for cooperation: Russia offers $500m for electricity import project Our Correspondent Russia has offered an investment of $500 million in establishing a transmission system for the Central Asia South Asia 1,000-megawatt (CASA-1,000) power import project, which will bring electricity from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The constrained revolution: 'Dismal economy restricting broadband penetration' Farhan Zaheer Qubee Pakistan CEO Jamal Nasir has said that the dismal economy and sluggish growth in the corporate sector has spelt difficulties for Pakistan's broadband sector, which is no longer growing at the pace which earlier brought it laurels from the global telecom community. _______________________________________________ Sports Cricket: Bangladesh renew hopes of revival Our Correspondent  While 'no one is interested in coming to Pakistan', Bangladesh, with memories of the last-minute u-turn still fresh, has handed the former world champions renewed hopes of reviving international cricket here. Euro 2012: Balotelli double downs Germany as Italy march on AFP Striker Mario Balotelli struck twice to seal Italy's 2-1 semi-final win over Germany on Thursday to leave the Germans' Euro 2012 ambitions in tatters while the Azzurri march on to the final. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Veena's Daal Mein...releases today Saadia Qamar Actor Veena Malik's first Bollywood flick, Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai, hits theatres in India today (Friday). After gaining success with her first item song "Channo" in the film Gali Gali Chor Hai, the road to stardom has just been paved for the actor. Katy Perry adds Ayesha Khurram to her wardrobe Our Correspondent If you can't make out who that gorgeous lady in the picture is, here's a snippet of news that will put a smile on your face: singer Katy Perry just got her hands on an Ayesha Khurram kurta! _______________________________________________

Opinion Hemmed in on all sides Kamran Shafi Fighting terror with prayers? Imtiaz Gul Polio myths Dr Tariq Bhutta The Russians are coming Asad Rahim Khan The curious case of APJ Abdul Kalam Prakash Belawadi Blogs Egging: Future leaders or cruel monsters? Myra Iqbal My father: Absent but always present Maham Khan Welcome to the "Islamic awakening" in Egypt Farooq Yousaf Why are Bollywood songs in my news? Maham Kamal Khanum  Poll Imran Khan says Pakistan's creation would be pointless if it fails to become an 'Islamic welfare state.' Do you agree? Yes (68%, 1,027 votes) No (32%, 447 votes) Total voters: 1,504 Links Contact us Tribune on Facebook Tribune on Twitter About us RSS Feed Subscribe to the Paper Careers Copyrights Jobs Classifieds

 

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The Express Tribune Newsletter: June 28, 2012

Today's Headlines Federal constitutional court: PPP mulls clipping apex court's talons Sumera Khan / Zia Khan The apex court's been aggressive, and the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is considering clipping its talons. Gen Allen-Gen Kayani meeting: Washington offers joint offensive against TTP Kamran Yousaf The US made an offer to Pakistan to conduct a joint military offensive against the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the Pak-Afghan border region, in a move indicating that the two estranged allies have sought to cooperate in specific areas despite worsening ties. NRO implementation case: SC expects Ashraf to write Swiss letter Azam Khan It's back to square one for the government. Having spent less than a week in the prime minister's office, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has been presented a conundrum that led to the ousting of his predecessor: How does one not write a letter to Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari without committing contempt of court? Terrorism: Blast rips through Sibi railway station Our Correspondents  A bomb ripped through the crowded Sibi railway station before midnight on Wednesday, killing at least eight commuters and injuring nearly three dozen more. Business Desperate measures: FBR blocks refunds, forces banks to pay advance tax Shahbaz Rana Tax authorities are apparently set to play with figures for the second consecutive year in a bid to achieve the revenue target, as they have blocked release of Rs78 billion in refunds and forced banks to pay next fiscal year's tax liabilities before the end of June. Breakthrough: Pakistan to award gas pipeline contracts to Russia Zafar Bhutta Pakistan has agreed to award contracts without bidding for multi-billion-dollar Iran-Pakistan (IP) and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline projects to Russia, which will also extend financial assistance. _______________________________________________ Sports Euro 2012: Spain beat Portugal on penalties to reach final Our Correspondents  Cesc Fabregas struck the winning spot kick as holders Spain beat Portugal 4-2 on penalties after their Euro 2012 semi-final ended goalless after extra time on Wednesday. No one is interested in coming to Pakistan: Zaka Ashraf Fawad Hussain From day one Zaka Ashraf has been on a mission to revive international cricket in Pakistan despite the prevailing sensitive security situation of the country. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Kaptaan: Was Pakistan easy for Jemima Goldsmith? Sher Khan Actor and model Saeeda Imtiaz gained popularity when she was casted in Kaptaan, a film based on cricketer-turned-politican Imran Khan's life as a sportsman that is scheduled for release this fall. Ice Age 4 comes to Pakistan early Rafay Mahmood  We bring glad tidings to the fans of animated films, especially those eagerly waiting for the release of Ice Age: Continental Drift. While the film is scheduled for global release on July 13, Pakistan and a few other countries will release it on June 29. _______________________________________________

Opinion Beyond the memo affair Raza Rumi The middle class debate Shahid Javed Burki Academic responsibility Tanvir Ahmad Khan Coming to terms with autism Annum Sadiq Another top-heavy irrigation scheme Syed Mohammad Ali   Blogs Why America won't help with Kashmir Jehangir Ali Why The Hunger Games is the anti-Twilight Hala Syed Lusting for heroin, living in excess Fyez Ahmed An open letter to Nawaz Sharif Nadeem Akram Poll Do you think the government is doing enough to preserve cultural heritage sites? No (95%, 452 Votes) Yes (5%, 24 Votes) Total Voters: 476 Links Contact us Tribune on Facebook Tribune on Twitter About us RSS Feed Subscribe to the Paper Careers Copyrights Jobs Classifieds

The Express Tribune, 5 Expressway Off Korangi Road, Karachi, Sindh 75500, Pakistan You may unsubscribe or change your contact details at any time.