Parisian Mayor Anne Hidalgo has announced that returning to a city dominated by cars post- pandemic is “out of the question”. A special session was organised by the Paris City Council to look at ways to guide citizens out of lockdown, where Hidalgo emphasised her stance on reducing pollution in the capital. “I say in all firmness that it is out of the question that we allow ourselves to be invaded by cars, and by pollution,” she said. “Pollution is already in itself a health crisis and a danger —…
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World Bank Group: 100 Countries Get Support in Response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2020— The World Bank Group today announced its emergency operations to fight COVID-19 (coronavirus) have reached 100 developing countries – home to 70% of the world’s population. Since March, the Bank Group has rapidly delivered record levels of support in order to help countries protect the poor and vulnerable, reinforce health systems, maintain the private sector, and bolster economic recovery. This assistance, the largest and fastest crisis response in the Bank Group’s history, marks a milestone in implementing the Bank Group’s pledge to make available $160 billion in…
Read MoreEnergy Sector: Lack of Reforms
The Finance Ministry has reportedly agreed to convert 800 billion rupees parked in Power Holding Private Limited (PHPL) into public debt with a biannual review of the sector’s performance as per a World Bank policy matrix loan condition. Those who may contend that this is reflective of the government’s commitment to reform the sector which is plagued by multifarious issues including a circular debt of 1.1 trillion rupees (attributed to high transmission and distribution losses, low recoveries, tariffs and insufficient subsidies) with the additional power sector debt parked in PHPL…
Read MoreRLNG Fired Power Plants
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Privatisation Muhammad Mian Soomro has warned the government that an inquiry against Independent Power Producers (IPPs) may hamper privatisation of RLNG-fired power plants, well-informed sources told Business Recorder. At a recent meeting of Federal Cabinet, Minister for Privatisation mentioned concerns conveyed by the Financial Advisors to the Privatisation Commission for privatisation of power plants; he further noted that interested (credible) shortlisted companies were concerned at the report on IPPs which would have a subsequent adverse impact on the pricing and timing of transactions and, therefore, all such…
Read MoreBlind British Pakistani singer moves millions to tears at Britain’s Got Talent show
LONDON: 14-year-old British Pakistani singer Sirine Jahangir moved millions of people to tears and won four yeses from the judges as she displayed her unique vocals at Britain’s Got Talent show on Saturday night and shared with the audience and judges how she completely lost sight in both eyes but never gave up on life and her passion for music. The four Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and David Walliams unanimously gave yeses to Sirine. Appearing on the stage, she told the judges: “It’s…
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