Pak Cabinet’s ECC clears plan for 1,500 MW rental power plants

September 10th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists have discovered a naturally occurring hormone that helps plants rid themselves of certain pesticide residues. Scientists in China are reporting the "intriguing" discovery that a natural plant hormone, applied to crops, can help plants eliminate residues of certain pesticides.

September 8th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) has condemned Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani for refusing to take notice of involvement of his cabinet ministers in large scale corruption. Senior PML-Q leader Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat said Gilani's reluctance to take action on such charges against his ministers indicates that he too is a artner in crime, The Daily Times reports.

September 5th, 2009 BERLIN - Tens of thousands of people from Germany, France, Denmark and Austria have staged a rally in downtown Berlin Saturday to protest against a government plan to extend the operation of the country's nuclear power plants. Germany's 17 nuclear power plants are due to be shut down by 2020.

August 28th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has cleared all the outstanding electricity dues of his Chak Shahzad farm house. Pakistan National Assembly Standing Committee on Water and Power was informed here on Thursday that Musharraf paid 480, 910 rupees to clear the fine imposed by the Islamabad Electric Power Company (IESCO).

August 23rd, 2009 KARACHI - A team of US technical experts is in Pakistan to assess the country's deteriorating energy scenario and to help it to overcome the problem, the Dawn reports. The team of engineers and financial evaluators will stay in Pakistan for a week and is expected to look into the possibility of setting up rental power plants in the country.

August 17th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Monday asked the US to help it permanently overcome its energy crisis. Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen made the demand during a meeting with US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke, Online news agency reported.

August 3rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - With the economic slowdown impacting consumer sentiments, the demand for retail rental space in Delhi has seen a 25 percent decline over six months, says a report by the global realty consultant CB Richard Ellis released Monday. According to the report titled Global Retail MarketView, the demand for retail space has declined across the world as consumers cut back on spending and unemployment continued to rise in many countries.

July 28th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the proposals of committee on Balochistan have been approved. Talking to mediapersons at the Prime Minister's Secretariat here on Tuesday, Gilani said consultations will be make with all stake holders on the proposals submitted by parliamentary committee on Balochistan and a jirga or an all party conference would be called.

July 21st, 2009 TOKYO - The Japanese cabinet Tuesday endorsed Prime Minister Taro Aso's plan to dissolve the lower house or the House of Representatives later in the day. All cabinet members signed the dissolution document, including Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano as well as Agriculture Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who have both appeared dissatisfied with Aso's decision last week to dissolve the house, Kyodo News reported.

July 15th, 2009 TORONTO - In the plant world, bigger isn't always better, says a new study. "Until now most of the thinking has suggested that to be a good competitor in the forest, you have to be a big plant," said Queen's University biologist Lonnie Aarssen.

July 15th, 2009 LONDON - A 61-year-old granny was threatened with an anti-social behaviour order unless she removed her tomato plants. Linda Ware from Neath, South Wales had grown two tomato plants outside her council flat to brighten up the foyer, but estate chief David Rouse paid her a visit after a neighbour complained they were making her ill.

June 28th, 2009 MELBOURNE - Australian telecommunications and media company Telstra has had to apologise for the second time in the last two months because of a sexually explicit photo that ended up on a Sydney teenager's rental phone. The lewd image was found on 13-year-old girl Monique's second hand Telstra ZTE handset last week.

May 23rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Chinese Government is considering an adjustment to its nuclear power development plan in order to boost nuclear power development in coastal areas while scientifically planning nuclear power stations inland. China is world's second-largest energy user and golden time for the country's nuclear power development has come," said Zhou Xi'an, Director of the General Affairs Department of the National Energy Administration.

May 21st, 2009 SYDNEY - The devastating February bushfires that killed 173 people across Australia generated enough energy to fuel 1,500 atomic bombs, the bushfires royal commission has been told. The Sydney Morning Herald quoted bushfire behaviour analyst Dr Kevin Tolhurst told the commission the fires were like "1500 atomic bombs the size of Hiroshima".

March 28th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Russia and China may support Pakistan in setting up new nuclear power plants to meet the country's growing energy needs. According to The Nation sources, Moscow and Beijing are expected to bail out Islamabad from the constraints relating to establishing new nuclear power plants.