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Pakistan urges world to step up against climate change

Madrid: Shazia Marri, minister for poverty alleviation and social safety and chairperson of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), on Sunday urged the world to take some serious steps for resolving climate change issues. Addressing the 26th Socialist International Congress in Spain's Madrid, the minister said that 33 million people in Pakistan had been impacted by the devastating floods this year. On the occasion, she expressed hope that some measures would be taken seriously by the international community in the future to curb the destruction caused by climate change.

November 27, 2022By UncategorizedRead more...

Pakistan welcomes COP27’s “loss and damage” fund

Islamabad: On November 20, Pakistan welcomed a UN climate summit's initiative to set up a "loss and damage" fund for vulnerable countries. It termed the development the "first step in reaffirming the core principles of climate justice". "We welcome today’s announcement and joint text hammered out thru many nights. It’s an important first step in reaffirming the core principles of climate justice," Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman.

November 20, 2022By Uncategorized, Read more...

“Stand and deliver,” asserts UN chief at COP27 climate summit

Sharm El-Sheikh: On Nov 17, negotiators at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt must overcome a "breakdown in trust" between rich and poor nations to deliver a deal to save the world from the worst of global warming, U.N. chief Antonio Guterres stated. "We are at crunch time in the negotiations," he said. "Global emissions are at their highest level in history - and rising. Climate impacts are decimating economies and societies - and growing. We know what we need to do - and we have the tools and resources to get it done," he added.

November 17, 2022By Uncategorized, Read more...

“Climate change may cut Pakistan’s GDP by 18pc to 20pc”: World Bank

According to a report recently published by the World Bank, Pakistan’s annual economic output could see a cut of 18 percent to 20pc by 2050 due to climate change risks. "The combined risks from the intensification of climate change and environmental degradation, unless addressed, will further aggravate Pakistan's economic fragility; and could ultimately reduce annual GDP by 18pc to 20pc per year by 2050, based on the optimistic and pessimistic scenarios," it said.

November 17, 2022By Uncategorized, Read more...

Natural disasters ‘major threat’: World Bank

Islamabad: On Thursday, the World Bank described natural disasters including floods caused by climate change as a major threat to Pakistan's economy. World Bank's Country Climate Development Report also expressed the fear of affecting poverty reduction and economic development efforts. The World Bank also revealed the possibility of affecting Pakistan's economic growth by 15 to 20 percent by the year 2050.

November 10, 2022By UncategorizedRead more...

COP27: Poor nations demand compensation from Big Oil

Sharm El-sheikh: On Nov 8, leaders from poor countries denounced wealthy governments and oil companies for driving global warming. Through their speeches at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt, they demanded payment for damages being inflicted on their economies. "The oil and gas industry continues to earn almost 3 billion United States dollars daily in profits," said Gaston Browne, Antigua's prime minister. "It is about time that these (oil and gas) companies are made to pay a global carbon tax on their profits as a source of funding for loss and damage," he added.

November 8, 2022By UncategorizedRead more...

Climate activist Greta Thunberg ready to ‘hand over megaphone’

Four years after launching her “School Strike for the Climate”, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg said that she was ready to pass the baton to those on the front lines of climate change. “We should also listen to reports and experiences from people who are most affected by the climate crisis. Furthermore, she asserted: "It’s time to hand over the megaphone to those who actually have stories to tell.”

November 7, 2022By UncategorizedRead more...

COP27 kicks off to discuss ‘climate compensation’

Sharm El-sheikh: On Nov 6, delegates from nearly 200 countries kicked off the U.N. climate summit in Egypt. The meeting would be an agreement to discuss compensating poor nations for mounting damage linked to global warming. This is the first time that the controversial topic is on the agenda since climate talks began decades ago.

November 6, 2022By Uncategorized, Read more...

PMD predicts rain in Karachi, Sindh

On Friday, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted rain and wind thunderstorms of light intensity in various cities of Sindh, including Karachi, from November 7. According to PMD, day temperatures are also likely to fall by two-to-four degrees Celsius in the province. It added that the Maximum temperature in Karachi would reach 36°C in the next three days while the minimum would fall to 21°C.

November 4, 2022By Uncategorized, , Read more...

“Europe warming at twice the global average”: UN report

On Wednesday, the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization laid bare that Europe had warmed at more than twice the global average over the past three decades. experienced a greater temperature rise than any other continent. “Europe presents a live picture of a warming world and reminds us that even well-prepared societies are not safe from impacts of extreme weather events,” WMO secretary-general Petteri Taalas said in a statement.

November 2, 2022By Uncategorized, Read more...

Climate change: Unusually warm weather for France and Spain

It is reported that parts of France and Spain are witnessing an unusually warm late October, with bathers enjoying water temperatures of 20-21C on the French Riviera. "At the end of October it cools down normally and by All Saints Day (1st of November) it usually rains", reported the natives. On the contrary, it is also a sign of climate change, followed by a summer which saw extreme heat in Europe, with dangrous wildfires and droughts.

October 28, 2022By Uncategorized, , Read more...

US announces additional aid for flood victims

According to a press release issued by the US Embassy in Islamabad on Thursday, the United States announced an additional $30 million in aid for flood victims in Pakistan. It said that the total funding from the US for the flood response, food security, disaster preparedness and capacity-building efforts in the country now amounts to $97m for the year.

October 27, 2022By Uncategorized, , Read more...

PM Shehbaz to co-chair 27th UN Climate Change Conference

It emerged on Monday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been entrusted to Co-Chair the 27th UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP-27). He would be joining the Egyptian President and Norwegian Prime Minister. “Humbled by the invitation to co-chair the COP27 roundtable in Egypt next month,” the premier wrote on Twitter. “We need to turn this realization into concrete action to combat climate change,” he added.

October 10, 2022By UncategorizedRead more...

Tropical storm Julia to soak El Salvador, Guatemala

San Salvador: On Oct 10, according to the reports, tropical storm Julia would be expected to dump heavy rains on parts of Central America and southern Mexico. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), the storm was moving north-northwest Monday morning along the coast of El Salvador. Moreover, Mexico's southern Tehuantepec isthmus could receive 3-6 inches of rain.

October 10, 2022By Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, Weather, , Read more...

EU announces more aid for flood stricken-Pakistan

The European Union on Tuesday announced additional 30 million euros in humanitarian aid for Pakistan to cushion the devastating impact of the floods. The announcement came during EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič's visit to Pakistan following the unprecedented flooding emergency. “People in Pakistan are suffering the devastating consequences of an unprecedented flooding emergency. Once again, however, nature reminded us of the impact of global warming," Commissioner Lenarčič said in a statement.

October 4, 2022By Uncategorized, Read more...

Hurricane Ian leaves Florida’s Gulf Coast in mess

Venice: According to the reports, Hurricane Ian tore Florida's Gulf Coast with howling winds, torrential rains, and raging surf and caused massive power outages. Governor Ron DeSantis said that Lee and Charlotte counties, home to more than 900,000 people, were "basically off the grid." Ian blasted ashore at the barrier island of Cayo Costa on Wednesday afternoon as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 miles per hour (241 kph).

September 29, 2022By Uncategorized, Read more...

IMF to support Pakistan’s flood relief efforts

On Sunday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that it would support flood relief and reconstruction efforts in Pakistan under the current program. “We will work with others in the international community to support, under the current program, the authorities’ relief and reconstruction efforts, and especially their ongoing endeavor to assist those affected by the floods while ensuring sustainable policies and macroeconomic stability,” the statement said.

September 18, 2022By UncategorizedRead more...

PM Shehbaz orders rapid dewatering of flood-hit areas

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned of a perilous outbreak of water and vector-borne diseases while ordering the rapid dewatering of the flooded areas. During his visit to Balochistan's Sohbatpur district, the premier said: "Infectious diseases are spreading in the flood-affected areas. Controlling the outbreak is crucial." PM Shehbaz also cautioned that dealing with disease outbreak would become difficult if measures to limit the spread are not taken.

September 14, 2022By UncategorizedRead more...

PMD predicts more rains in Karachi

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Tuesday forecasted another spell of rains in Sindh in continuation of the existing monsoon season. As per the Met department, a low-pressure system located in the Indian state of Gujrat has integrated into another low-pressure system present in Central India. The rain-producing system is likely to cause more precipitation in areas of upper Sindh till September 15.

September 13, 2022By Uncategorized, Read more...

“UN chief devastated by scale of damage from floods”: PM Shehbaz

Islamabad: On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his unprecedented support to the flood victims in Pakistan. Taking to Twitter today, PM Shehbaz said that during his visit to the flood-affected areas and camps, the UN secretary-general was overwhelmed by the scale of havoc that has engulfed Pakistan. He also maintained that the UN chief’s voice has become the voice of flood victims.

September 11, 2022By Uncategorized, , , Read more...

Death toll from devastating floods in Sindh climbs to 621

Karachi: It emerged on Sunday that the death toll from the cataclysmic floods in Sindh surged to 621 as 12 more people fell prey to the waters during the last 24 hours. A small bridge collapsed on the Bhan Saeedabad-Johi Link Road after which floodwaters crossed the Ring Road of Dadu. On the other hand, disaster was averted in the Johi city after a breach, created by unidentified men, was plugged, sources in the irrigation department said.

September 11, 2022By UncategorizedRead more...

USAID to provide additional $20 million to Pakistan

Rawalpindi: United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power announced on Friday that Washington would provide an additional $20 million in humanitarian assistance to Pakistan to mitigate the effects of the devastating floods. "I've announced an additional $20 million for Pakistan. During my time here, I’ve seen the staggering devastation of the floods up close," said Power in a tweet. The USAID administrator also shared the details of her visit to the flood-stricken Dadu district, where she spoke with families "displaced by the floodwaters".

September 9, 2022By Uncategorized, Read more...

Pakistan Floods: Economic loss reaches $18b

According to the reports, the economic losses following floods as calculated by the Centre and endorsed by the provinces have gone up further to the tune of $17-$18 billion. The economic losses have further increased mainly because crops have been destroyed across 8.25 million acres as compared to an initial estimation of 4.2 million acres. Cotton, rice, and minor crops have been damaged and now wheat sowing is under threat.

September 9, 2022By Uncategorized, Read more...

Pakistan looks ‘like a sea’ after floods: PM Shehbaz

Sehwan: On September 7, Parts of Pakistan seemed "like a sea", Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated, after visiting some of the flood-hit areas that cover as much as a third of the South Asian nation. According to the reports, 18 more deaths took the toll from days of rain to 1,343. "You wouldn't believe the scale of destruction there," Sharif told media after a visit to the southern province of Sindh. "It is water everywhere as far as you could see. It is just like a sea."

September 7, 2022By Uncategorized, Read more...

Pakistan Floods: Death toll tops 1,300

Islamabad: Pakistani authorities are struggling to prevent the country's biggest lake from bursting its banks and inundating nearby towns after unprecedented flooding, while the disaster management agency on Monday raised its toll of flood deaths by another 24. Pakistan's National Disaster Management Agency stated that record monsoon rains and melting glaciers in northern mountains had brought floods that had affected 33 million people and killed at least 1,314, including 458 children.

September 5, 2022By UncategorizedRead more...

Infectious diseases erupt in Southern Punjab

Following the outbreak of various diseases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, infectious diseases have also surfaced in the flood-affected areas of Punjab. The Punjab Health Department has released the data on infectious diseases among the flood affectees, according to which, the highest number of diseases have been reported in Southern Punjab. The data showed that over 140,000 flood victims are suffering from different diseases, out of which more than 37,000 people are suffering from respiratory diseases.

September 2, 2022By Uncategorized, Read more...

Aid groups warn of growing plight in flood-hit Pakistan

Islamabad: On September 2, record monsoon rains and melting glaciers in northern mountains killed at least 1,208 people, including 416 children, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) proclaimed. The head of the Edhi Foundation charity, Faisal Edhi, stated, "Ninety percent of people are still awaiting any kind of assistance; the situation is serious, people are starving," Edhi described the situation as grim and called on the government to lift a years-old ban on some international NGOs it had accused of "anti-state activities".

September 2, 2022By Uncategorized, Read more...