LAHORE: The power shortfall has exceeded 2000 MW across the country in the wake of increased demand of electricity due to shift in weather from cool to warmer side. Four-hour spell of long loadshedding has also been started for the industrial sector. According to PEPCO sources, the power generation has declined to 10,203 points while the demand for electricity has shot up to cross 12000 MW. Consequently, the industrial sector is being subjected to 4 hour loadshedding; commercial sector 4-6 hour power shedding and; domestic consumers are made to endure 6-10 hour duration of electricity loadshedding. The PEPCO officials expressed fear that the shortfall could shoot further up by 1000 MW in case gas was not supplied to power generation houses.
Written on March 9, 2011 | Posted in
Politics,
UN,
US,
War,
ad,
ads,
cia,
lahore,
weather |
Leave a comment
Srinagar, Mar 8 : The weather conditions have improved in the Kashmir valley, where sky remained partially cloudy while Kargil in Ladakh region remained coldest after the minimum dipped further to …
Written on March 8, 2011 | Posted in
ad,
kashmir,
unlmitie,
weather |
Leave a comment
PALLEKELE: In-form Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul-Haq said his team was ready for the double challenge of facing New Zealand as well as a mystery World Cup pitch on Tuesday. The Group A rivals meet at the newly-built Pallekele stadium in the first-ever one-day match at the venue, a factor which vice-captain Misbah believes will give both teams plenty to think about. “Of course, it adds to the challenge because we don”t know how the pitch will behave but that’’s the same for both teams, and as far as we are concerned we are up to the challenge,” Misbah said Monday. The 36-year-old has anchored the Pakistan team in the World Cup with two half-centuries against Kenya and Sri Lanka and a hard-fought 37 in the last match against Canada. Pakistan sit top of Group A with six points after three matches, followed by co-hosts Sri Lanka (five points in four) and defending champions Australia (five after three), with New Zealand fourth with four in three matches. Misbah said Pakistan’’s recent one-day series win over New Zealand will count for nothing. “We have done well against them in World Cups and in the recent series there but that win will count for nothing as it’’s a new game at a new place,” said Misbah, of Pakistan’’s 3-2 win in New Zealand last month. Pakistan will bring in paceman Shoaib Akhtar after resting him in the last match against Canada, while left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman will also be available after missing the last match due to a leg muscle injury. Led by skipper Shahid Afridi’’s leg-spin, which has garnered a tournament-leading 14 wickets, Pakistan possess variety in their bowling with off-spinners Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez, coupled with a strong new-ball attack of Akhtar, Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz. “I think we know how good their bowling can be,” said New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori. “They can probably defend any score because of the nature of their bowlers. They bring a lot to the table.” Pakistan successfully defended a below-par 185-run target against Canada and 278 against co-hosts Sri Lanka in the two of their three matches. New Zealand, who lost to Australia by seven wickets but eased past Kenya and Zimbawe by 10 wickets in each game, have four points after three matches. “We know to win these big games it needs complete team performances and that’’s what we have done. “It’’s a matter of stepping up against the harder teams,” said Vettori, whose country has lost six World Cup matches against Pakistan since winning their first in 1983. Unlike the bowling head-to-head, New Zealand hold the upper hand in batting, with openers Martin Guptill (86) and Brendon McCullum (76) chasing a 186-run target against Zimbabwe without being separated. “I”m not sure you could ask for too much more, we wanted complete performances out of ourselves and that we gave in the last match,” said Vettori, whose team have made the semi-finals in the last three World Cups. The hill town of Kandy has suffered from persistent rains and the only international match here, a Test between Sri Lanka and the West Indies in December, was drawn without a single innings completed in five days. The warm-up matches before the World Cup were also moved because of bad weather. Teams Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (capt), Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Ahmed Shahzad. Coach: Waqar Younis New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (capt), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock. Coach: John Wright Umpires: Daryl Harper (AUS) and Nigel Llong (ENG) TV umpire: Ian Gould (ENG) Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG) Match start: 02:00 PM Pitch conditions: Heavy rains last month have hit the preparations of the pitch, and if the sun comes out in the next two days, the square will have good grass and help the seamers, provided the grass is not removed. The pitch has bounce and if it doesn”t rain will help batsmen. Pakistan v New Zealand head to head Head-to-head record for the World Cup Group A match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the Pallekele stadium on Tuesday: Matches: 88 Pakistan: 51 New Zealand: 34 No result/Tied: 3 First meeting: Feb 11, 1973, Christchurch – New Zealand won by 22 runs Last meeting: Feb 5, 2011, Auckland – New Zealand won by 57 runs (AFP)
Written on March 8, 2011 | Posted in
2011,
Canada,
International,
Pakistan,
Shahid AFridi,
Sports,
UK,
UN,
US,
Umpires,
War,
World Cup,
Younis Khan,
ad,
afridi,
aid,
australia,
batting,
bowling,
captain,
games,
kenya,
new zealand,
pta,
teams,
uth,
weather,
west indies,
zimbabwe |
Leave a comment
PALLEKELE: In-form Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul-Haq said his team was ready for the double challenge of facing New Zealand as well as a mystery World Cup pitch on Tuesday. The Group A rivals meet at the newly-built Pallekele stadium in the first-ever one-day match at the venue, a factor which vice-captain Misbah believes will give both teams plenty to think about. “Of course, it adds to the challenge because we don”t know how the pitch will behave but that’’s the same for both teams, and as far as we are concerned we are up to the challenge,” Misbah said Monday. The 36-year-old has anchored the Pakistan team in the World Cup with two half-centuries against Kenya and Sri Lanka and a hard-fought 37 in the last match against Canada. Pakistan sit top of Group A with six points after three matches, followed by co-hosts Sri Lanka (five points in four) and defending champions Australia (five after three), with New Zealand fourth with four in three matches. Misbah said Pakistan’’s recent one-day series win over New Zealand will count for nothing. “We have done well against them in World Cups and in the recent series there but that win will count for nothing as it’’s a new game at a new place,” said Misbah, of Pakistan’’s 3-2 win in New Zealand last month. Pakistan will bring in paceman Shoaib Akhtar after resting him in the last match against Canada, while left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman will also be available after missing the last match due to a leg muscle injury. Led by skipper Shahid Afridi’’s leg-spin, which has garnered a tournament-leading 14 wickets, Pakistan possess variety in their bowling with off-spinners Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez, coupled with a strong new-ball attack of Akhtar, Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz. “I think we know how good their bowling can be,” said New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori. “They can probably defend any score because of the nature of their bowlers. They bring a lot to the table.” Pakistan successfully defended a below-par 185-run target against Canada and 278 against co-hosts Sri Lanka in the two of their three matches. New Zealand, who lost to Australia by seven wickets but eased past Kenya and Zimbawe by 10 wickets in each game, have four points after three matches. “We know to win these big games it needs complete team performances and that’’s what we have done. “It’’s a matter of stepping up against the harder teams,” said Vettori, whose country has lost six World Cup matches against Pakistan since winning their first in 1983. Unlike the bowling head-to-head, New Zealand hold the upper hand in batting, with openers Martin Guptill (86) and Brendon McCullum (76) chasing a 186-run target against Zimbabwe without being separated. “I”m not sure you could ask for too much more, we wanted complete performances out of ourselves and that we gave in the last match,” said Vettori, whose team have made the semi-finals in the last three World Cups. The hill town of Kandy has suffered from persistent rains and the only international match here, a Test between Sri Lanka and the West Indies in December, was drawn without a single innings completed in five days. The warm-up matches before the World Cup were also moved because of bad weather. Teams Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (capt), Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Ahmed Shahzad. Coach: Waqar Younis New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (capt), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock. Coach: John Wright Umpires: Daryl Harper (AUS) and Nigel Llong (ENG) TV umpire: Ian Gould (ENG) Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG) Match start: 02:00 PM Pitch conditions: Heavy rains last month have hit the preparations of the pitch, and if the sun comes out in the next two days, the square will have good grass and help the seamers, provided the grass is not removed. The pitch has bounce and if it doesn”t rain will help batsmen. Pakistan v New Zealand head to head Head-to-head record for the World Cup Group A match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the Pallekele stadium on Tuesday: Matches: 88 Pakistan: 51 New Zealand: 34 No result/Tied: 3 First meeting: Feb 11, 1973, Christchurch – New Zealand won by 22 runs Last meeting: Feb 5, 2011, Auckland – New Zealand won by 57 runs (AFP)
Written on March 7, 2011 | Posted in
2011,
Canada,
International,
Pakistan,
Shahid AFridi,
Sports,
UK,
UN,
US,
Umpires,
War,
World Cup,
Younis Khan,
ad,
afridi,
aid,
australia,
batting,
bowling,
captain,
games,
kenya,
new zealand,
pta,
teams,
uth,
weather,
west indies,
zimbabwe |
Leave a comment
SIALKOT: The hundreds of the Christians, after this noon, staged a peaceful agitational demonstration in Sialkot City’’s congested Allama Iqbal Chowk, during the light rainy weather, as a protest against the brutal murder of Federal Minister for Minorities Shehbaz Bhatti in Islamabad. Bishop Samuel Maseeh led the demonstration. The protesting Christians were holding the agitational banners and placards. They chanted anti-terrorism slogans, demanding immediate arrest of the killers. They also marched on various city roads in Sialkot. (PPI)
Written on March 2, 2011 | Posted in
Politics,
Terrorism,
UN,
US,
ad,
ads,
ban,
islam,
islamabad,
media,
weather |
Leave a comment
OTTAWA: Demand for water in agriculture and energy production could spike in the coming decades while catastrophic floods and droughts strike more often, a water conference in Canada is to hear this week. “At unpredictable times, too much water will arrive in some places and too little in others,” said Zafar Adeel, chair of UN Water which coordinates water-related efforts of 28 United Nations organizations and agencies. Within a generation, water demand in many countries is forecast to exceed supply by an estimated 40 percent. In other parts of the world prone to flooding, catastrophic floods normally expected once a century could occur every 20 years instead. Meanwhile, spending on technologies and services to discover, manage, filter, disinfect and desalinate water, improve infrastructure and distribution, mitigate flood damage and reduce water consumption by households, industry and agriculture is expected to rise to a trillion dollars annually by 2020. Some 300 scientists, policy-makers and economists will release these and other research findings as well as proven new tools, ideas and best practices for optimizing water management at a Canadian Water Network international conference in Ottawa. The event kicks off on February 28 and runs through March 3. Conference speaker Hans Schreier of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver will present research buttressing the need for flood-prone areas to brace for more frequent disasters. He pointed to Canadian insurance data showing claims resulting from extreme weather increased 20-fold in the past 30 years and flood-related claims now exceeding fire and wind insurance claims every year. Schreier called for improved road and street designs to minimize rainwater runoff. “Until now, all we”ve ever done in urban environments is to drain everything into rivers and lakes,” he said. But curbs, drains and impermeable surfaces could be replaced where possible with grassy shoulder depressions that collect and absorb rainwater while directing excess runoff into constructed wetlands or storm water retention ponds. This would mitigate flood damage, but also polluted runoff normally drained via pipes into lakes and rivers would be instead filtered and cleaned as it sinks through the ground, helping compensate the extensive loss of wetlands to development. Other low-cost innovations might include home driveway designs and materials that allow most precipitation to be absorbed instead of running onto streets and roads, he said. Another topic to be discussed at the conference is the impact of water shortages on businesses that rely on “virtual water” or the amount of water used in production of items. A desktop computer, for example, requires 1.5 tons (1,500 liters) of water; a pair of denim jeans up to 6 tons; a kilogram of wheat 1 ton; a kilo of chicken 3 to 4 tons; a kilo of beef 15 to 30 tons. Nicholas Parker, chairman of the Cleantech Group, said: “What people don”t often realize is how much water there is in everything we make and buy, from t-shirts to wine.” One proposal is to list water used on product package labels to inform consumers and encourage conservation, said Adeel, noting that annual global trade in “virtual water” now exceeds 800 billion tons, the equivalent of 10 Nile Rivers. As developing countries gain wealth, their citizens” demands for food and energy, which both require a lot of water to produce, will skyrocket, Adeel warned. (AFP)
Written on February 28, 2011 | Posted in
Canada,
ISI,
International,
UN,
US,
War,
ad,
ads,
aid,
ban,
call,
floods,
industry,
rbs,
trade,
weather |
Leave a comment
BANGALORE: The weather is threatening to play spoilsport as India take on England on Sunday for what is arguably the most-awaited game in the World Cup league stages. The winner of the day-nighter on Sunday will not only get bragging rights in Group B but will also carry a lot of confidence as the Feb. 19-April 2 tournament picks up steam. While both teams have few worries about their batting, the bowling is a concern for both sides. India gave away close to300 runs against Bangladesh, while Netherlands passed that landmark against England a few days later. The match is threatened by rain and both teams will look to bat first not only to avoid headaches to competing with the Duckworth-Lewis system to settle weather-affected matches in the event that the heavens open. While India’’s in-form batsman Virender Sehwag suffered a rib injury, England’’s opening bowler Stuart Broad had an upset stomach ahead of the match. However, both players are expected to take to the field for the match and each team has a fully fit squad to pick from. Both sides opened their campaign with victories with India crushing co-hosts Bangladesh by 87 runs while England laboured to a thrilling six-wicket victory over the Netherlands. The build-up to the game has been marred by violence as fans looking for tickets to the high-profile match clashed with police after a shortage of tickets available for public sale. The Group B match was switched to Bangalore’’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium from Eden Gardens in Kolkata due to delayed construction work in the stadium.(Reuters)
Written on February 27, 2011 | Posted in
2011,
Sports,
UN,
US,
World Cup,
ad,
ban,
bangladesh,
batting,
bowling,
england,
india,
netherlands,
police,
teams,
weather |
Leave a comment
BEIJING: Rain and snow fell across China’’s eastern and central regions, with temperatures plummeting up to 10 degrees Celsius, easing severe drought that has plagued large areas of farmland in northern China, state media said on Saturday. But snow has also paralysed traffic in Beijing, Shanxi an dinner Mongolia. “Rain and snow for today and tomorrow will be the strongest and the largest amount for this round of precipitation, playing a positive role in relieving long-lasting drought in parts of provinces of Henan and Anhui,” a Chinese weather website quoted meteorological expert Li Xiaoquan assaying. The Ministry of Agriculture said on Friday wheat areas affected by drought in eight major producing provinces dropped to 5.71 million hectares by Thursday, while severely-hit areas fell to 1.04 million hectares. At the Beijing Capital airport, some 25 flights were cancelled, with 60 flights delayed for at least an hour, and highways were closed in Shanxi and Inner Mongolia due to snow. The national meteorological center of China has forecast that regions of Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Shannxi, Shanxi, Hebei will face heavy snow, while Shandong, Jiangsu and Anhui will experience heavy rain on Saturday. It also warned that freezing weather would cause icy roads across China.(Reuters)
Written on February 26, 2011 | Posted in
2011,
International,
News,
UN,
US,
War,
Web,
ad,
ads,
aid,
china,
media,
ngo,
weather |
Leave a comment
COLOMBO: Pakistan coach Waqar Younis played down the threat from Muttiah Muralitharan ahead of their crucial World Cup clash with Sri Lanka on Saturday, saying their batsmen had coped with him in the past. A capacity 35,000-crowd is expected to fill the Premadasa stadium in Colombo for the Group A match — the first big test for both teams after Sri Lanka easily rolled over Canada and Pakistan crushed Kenya. “In the past if Muralitharan had plans for us, we have played really well against him in this country. “I don”t think we should worry about him that much, he is not 28 anymore,” said Waqar of the 38-year-old off-spinner, who has 521 wickets in 342 one-day internationals — a world record. “It is not going to be easy for him any more. We are prepared not only for him but the entire team because we know it’’s an important match for us and we need to keep the momentum going.” Waqar admitted Sri Lanka would be tough to beat in home conditions. “Sri Lanka on their home ground are very good, very difficult to beat. Here the conditions and weather help them, but the way we have played and trained and with our momentum, I am hopeful we can beat them,” said the coach. Waqar said he was looking to Abdul Razzaq to boost his tally of runs. “I think Razzaq has done really well with the ball, but he hasn”t delivered the goods with the bat apart from one game in Abu Dhabi. “No doubt he is our striker in both batting and bowling,” said Waqar of the all-rounder, who hit a quickfire century against South Africa last year. “It’’s right he comes in at eight, but then again we have five batsman, our keeper (Kamran Akmal) is more of a batsman and then there is (Shahid) Afridi, so he doesn”t really fit in at the moment. But if we need to send him up the order, if runs are required, we might push him.” Waqar also admitted wicket-taking off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was unfortunate not to win a place in the eleven. “We are just going to go with the best combination, what we probably had in the last match, just the best team with which we can win and it’’s unfortunate that Ajmal is not fitting into it,” said Waqar of the 33-year-old off-spinner.(AFP)
Written on February 26, 2011 | Posted in
2011,
Canada,
International,
Pakistan,
Sports,
UN,
US,
World Cup,
ad,
africa,
afridi,
aid,
batting,
bowling,
cia,
dha,
import,
kenya,
live,
teams,
uth,
weather |
Leave a comment
VALLETTA: A ferry carrying American diplomats fleeing Libya docked in the Mediterranean island of Malta on Friday, as thousands of foreigners escaped by air, land and sea amid fears of an all-out civil war. Dozens of diplomats and their families were among the US-chartered ship’’s estimated 300 passengers, two of whom had to be taken off the vessel on stretchers by paramedics after crossing over from Tripoli in 20-foot waves. Evacuees, who had boarded the boat on Wednesday but whose journey was delayed by the rough weather, described the fighting they had run away from. “It was no longer safe,” said one man who lived near Green Square in Tripoli, who said he had seen armed men shooting protesters in the city centre. Another man said: “It seemed to be getting worse and was spreading fast.” The State Department has stepped up rescue operations for US nationals from Libya as it increases the pressure on Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi to quit. A second privately-chartered ferry from Libya with hundreds on board arrived in Malta later on Friday, due to be followed by the British Royal Navy’’s HMS Cumberland frigate with 207 passengers from the rebel-held port of Benghazi. (Online)
Written on February 26, 2011 | Posted in
2011,
America,
American,
IPL,
News,
UN,
US,
USA,
War,
ad,
aid,
dha,
live,
weather |
Leave a comment
