Telecom

Through the Rural Telecom Projects of Universal Service Fund, Telenor and CMPak have completed 62 solar powered sites in Mirpur Khas (34 sites), Bahawalpur (13 sites) and Nasirabad (15 sites). A population of 2.37 million people will be benefitting from these projects in total which resides in the districts of Sanghar, Tharparkar Umerkot and Mirpur Khas in Mirpur Khas lot (218 muzas), Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan Districts in Bahawalpur Lot (888 muzas) and Bolan, Jaffarabad, Jhal Magsi and Nasirabad in Nasirabad lot (648 muzas).

Since commercial power has not reached most of the areas where USF is running rural telecom projects, it proved to be a barrier to provide smooth uninterrupted telecom service. Even where commercial power infrastructure is available, the availability of power is extremely limited.

As a result, the telecom operators had to rely completely on diesel generators. Not only there was the cost of diesel, the transport and re-fueling at these sites was also a big and expensive hassle. At the same time, there was also a great need for cross-cutting operational expenses for maintenance of remote and hard-to-reach sites. Therefore, following a consultative process where all stakeholders participated, it was decided that operators will bid for all future infrastructure in un-served areas with renewable energy solutions.

This decision has played an important role in reducing the energy costs and is also a small contribution towards dealing with the energy crisis in Pakistan. Moreover, this initiative will also help in reducing carbon content in the atmosphere.

Overall, the projects being executed by Universal Service Fund are showing great progress as the number of previously un-served Mauzas where service has been provided has crossed 3,500 and number of small towns and cities with broadband connections is approaching 200. At the same time, nearly 1,000 kms of Fiber Cables have been laid to connect Tehsils so far not served with Optical Fiber. Technical Audits are in progress at all the sites where the Operators have claimed to have completed the milestones, as payments are made only after full verification of the achieved targets by technical auditors.

USF Pakistan is hailed as one of the best performing Universal Service programs in the developing world, which is all due to joint efforts of the stakeholders as each one of them is represented on the Board of Directors of USF Co. – in true Public-Private Partnership basis.

We're about three months away from the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The first half of this two-part conclusion to the beloved franchise will hit theaters on November 19. We've already provided readers with a look at its first trailer, which you can view again HERE.

Now, thanks to scans from the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly, we're excited to publish nine still images from the movie. Enjoy!

Click on the photos above for an early look at scenes from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Says star Rupert Grint of completing the franchise that made him famous... and also consumed most of his childhood:

“I’m ready to kind of move on now. I think this film is a great way to finish the whole era, and it’s going to be sad because obviously all my friends are here, but 10 years is enough.”

In the final installment, Harry, Ron and Hermione must locate and destroy the remaining horcruxes (objects that contain bits of Voldemort's soul), while also battling dark forces along the way. Run of the mill stuff for talented child wizards, really.

Bollywood’s gorgeous, Kareena Kapoor planned a beautiful trip to surprise her beau Saif Ali Khan on his 40th birthday. Well the lady planned a confidential holiday at an undisclosed location. But as we know that celebrities can never keep a secret, and so, Bebo let the cat out of the bag. It is heard that the hot couple had flown to Gstaad in Switzerland to celebrate the birthday of ‘Chote Nawab’.

Gstaad, one of the most picturesque corners of Switzerland, is home to several Hollywood celebrities like Julie Andrews, Elizabeth Taylor, Roger Moore amongst others. Michael Jackson, Prince Charles and Princess Diana used to frequent the place very often at one point of time. Known for its scenic beauty, Gstaad is famous for its skiing resorts.

knowing the fact that skiing is one big turn for the birthday boy, Bebo chose Gstaad as the destination for their six-day vacation.

A source quoted Saif to have saying, “Forty doesn’t feel any different. I’m looking forward to some exciting work. And I’m happy that my girlfriend is giving me this very special vacation.” As she put their passports into the outer pocket of her limited edition designer bag,

Bebo added, “I’ve been asked whether I have bought him any other gifts this birthday. Honestly, I haven’t. The time I spend with him in Switzerland is my gift to him.”

This is so cute. Hope their love for each other lasts forever.

Chill guys!!! The actress is has no plans to get married anytime soon, but yeah! she has already decided the colour of her wedding outfit.

“At the moment I don’t know when I’ll marry. I had once said 2012, but for that too I have two years to go. Such things are not planned. You never know what’s in store for you, but whenever it happens, I would love to wear something in green,” Katrina told reporters.

The actress, walked the ramp at the inaugural India International Jewellery Week (IIJW) to showcase the Nakshatra bridal collection. Wearing a peach ruffled lehenga with a jewel encrusted top by Neeta Lulla, the actress sported a chunky diamond set that was based on the traditional seven-stone floral cluster design of the brand.

IIJW is India’s first-ever jewellery week and will run till August 19 at the Grand Hyatt, Santa Cruz.

The dashing Khan, threw a bombshell recently by admitting that he and Katrina have indeed parted ways.

“I have broken up with Katrina. We were friends then for everybody, we are friends now,” Salman is quoted to have said in an interview to Headlines Today.

The Dabangg star got a little senti and philosophical when asked about the reason of his break-up from Katrina.

“Koi cheez tootati hain toh isliye kyonki ya toh different ways chali gayi hain, ya ek shakhs ki growth nahin hui, ya ek ne kuch aur path chun liya hai, ya sensibility samajh mein nahi aati, ya thinking galat ho gayi hain (A relationship breaks when it strays off in different directions, or when one of the two has stopped growing, or when the other person has chosen a different path, or when the thinking has got distorted).”

“It’s just two people not getting along, something that obviously doesn’t end peacefully. But if you can manage to stay friends, there is nothing like it,” he added

Hope they continue to remain friend forever.

Country of origin - Denmark
Length - 1,302 ft
Width - 207 ft
Net cargo - 123,200 tons
Engine - 14 in-line cylinders diesel engine (110,000 BHP)
Cruise Speed - 31 mi/h
Cargo capacity - 15,000 TEU (1 TEU = 20 ft3 container)
Crew - 13 people
First Trip - Sept. 08, 2006
Construction cost - US $145,000,000+

The silicone paint applied to the ship's bottom reduces water resistance and saves 317,000 gallons of diesel per year.