Talk Dirty? Pakistan To Ban Youths From Obtaining Mobile Phone Package Deals To Prevent ‘Immoral Behavior’

Pakistani woman on mobile phone Reuters

Pakistan’s telecommunications regulatory body is seeking to prevent the nation’s youths from acquiring mobile phone chat-text package deals in order to stop what it described as activities “contrary to the moral values of society.”

In response to concerns raised by some vocal conservative politicians and religious fundamentalists, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) ordered all telecom operators in the country to cease providing such packages to adolescents since they make it easy for youths to contact their peers at any time and for very little cost. Conservatives in Pakistan fear that the ease of such communication with enable youths, especially women, to meet with members of the opposite sex and ultimately engage in pre-marital sexual relations.
“Stop all kinds of chat packages [voice and SMS] irrespective of ‘time of the day’ and submit compliance by September 2,” read the directive to the companies from Muhammad Talib Dogar, the PTA’s director-general. Members of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party (PML-N) also urged the PTA to make the order, citing that mobile phones and text-messaging devices make it easier for teens to engage in “immoral” activities. “Boys and girls talk the whole night on mobile phones and these packages are destroying the moral character of our youth,” complained PML-N legislator Sheikh Allauddin before the Punjab Assembly. The packages have also been condemned by lawmakers in the National Assembly (the lower house of parliament).
In neighboring India, the easy availability of mobile phones has also sparked fears that they will be used by young people to establish illicit liaisons. For example, in December 2012, a village in the northeastern state of Bihar outright banned unmarried girls and women from using cellphones and imposed a fine of 10,000 rupees (a substantial figure in one of the poorest regions of India) on anyone who violated the rule. Even married women became subject to strict supervision over use of their phones. "Unrestricted use of cellphones promotes pre-marital and extramarital affairs and facilitates the breakdown of the institution of marriage," warned a local elder in Bihar. Clearly, a large segment of Pakistan’s population harbor similar fears.

The Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency reported that over the past five years, the number of mobile phone users in Pakistan has dramatically increased, particularly among the nation’s burgeoning youth.
Not surprisingly, officials at some of Pakistan’s leading telecom/cellular firms* -- including Pakistan Mobile Communications Ltd. (better known as Mobilink GSM); Ufone GSM, Zong, Telenor-Pakistan, and Warid-Pakistan – have criticized the PTA’s directive as incomprehensible, citing that packages make it easier for ordinary people to contact friends and relatives at moderate costs.
“One wonders how these [packages] are contrary to the moral values of our society,” an unidentified telecom executive said, according to PTI. “On the demand of extremists, night and day mobile packages are banned. YouTube is already banned. These extremists may demand a ban on Facebook and social media as well, as these are also considered by many in our society as instrumental to spreading obscenity.” Mobilink’s director of communications, Omar Manzoor, blandly told Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper: “We are reviewing the [PTA] notice and will respond within the stipulated timeline.” Another telecom executive complained to PTI that the PTA’s order will hurt corporate profits in a climate already burdened by high taxation. But Dawn noted that the PTA’s directive is unlikely to impact mobile internet packages in Pakistan.
According to a report by Syed Fazl-e-Haider, a development analyst in Pakistan, the number of mobile phone subscribers in the country numbers at least 122 million, well more than one-half of the country’s population.  In March 2012, Pakistan had the highest mobile penetration rate in South Asia. This growth has been driven by a number of foreign telecom corporations investing in Pakistan’s fixed-line and mobile networks over the past decade following former President Pervez Musharraf’s decision to de-regulate the telecom sector in 2003.
However, Haider said that the market penetration has risen to a point that the business has become too competitive, resulting in lower margins for most cellular companies operating in Pakistan.
*Mobilink is a unit of VimpelCom Ltd. (NYSE:VIP); Ufone is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pakistan Telecommunication Co. Ltd. (KSE: PTC); Zong, also known as China Mobile-Pakistan (CMPak) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Mobile Ltd. (NYSE:CHL); Telenor Pakistan is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Norway-based Telenor Group (OSE: TEL); and Warid-Pakistan is owned by privately held Abu Dhabi-based Warid Telecom International.

කොළඹ-කටුනායක අධිවේගයෙන් රු. 200යි

කොළඹ-කටුනායක අධිවේගයෙන් රු. 200යි

ලබන සැප්තැම්බර් මස අග භාගයේදී විවෘත වීමට නියමිත කොළඹ-කටුනායක අධිවේගී මාර්ගයේ ගමන් කිරීමට සැහැල්ලූ වාහන සඳහා එක් ගමන් වාරයකට රුපියල් 200ක ගාස්තුවක් අය කරන බව වරාය හා මහා මාර්ග අමාත්‍යංශය පවසයි.
මෙම අධිවේගී මාර්ගයේ ඇතුළුවීමේ ප‍්‍රධාන පිවිසුම නව කැළණි පාලම වටරවුමේ සිට කිලෝමීටර් දෙකකට එපිටින් පිහිටා ඇති අතර එම දුර ප‍්‍රමාණය ගමන් කිරීමට මුදල් අය නොකරන බවද අමාත්‍යංශය කියයි.
විවෘත කිරීමෙන් පසු දිනකට වාහන 30,000ක් පමණ මෙම මාර්ගය භාවිතා කරනු ඇතැයි ගණන් බලා ඇත.

Sri Lanka police dog 'weddings' condemned by minister

Sri Lanka police dog 'weddings' condemned by minister Sri Lanka's culture ministry has strongly condemned a mass "wedding" of police dogs which they say offensively used traditional Buddhist symbols. Police "married" nine pairs of dogs on a platform decorated with white cloth and flowers in a ceremony resembling a traditional marriage. The "brides" wore mittens, shawls and hats while the "grooms" wore red ties. Police have defended the "wedding" saying that it was done to promote the domestic breeding of sniffer dogs. But in a statement they also apologised for their actions. Culture Minister TB Ekanayake said that police officers had "contemptibly devalued" traditional weddings in a devoutly Buddhist country. He said that he was incensed that the dog couples were placed on a Buddhist poruwa - a stage used in traditional Sinhalese weddings. "This is not acceptable according to our cultural norms," Mr Ekanayake told reporters. "We are people who really value out traditional weddings - which are only done at auspicious times alongside the chanting of stanzas and [other] poruwa rituals. "The police have demeaned all this by conducting this in the Kandy - the city of the [famous Buddhist) Temple of [the] Tooth. I totally condemn this." Mr Ekanayake said that such an incident had never happened before in Sri Lanka and that he had written to the the inspector-general of police asking him to conduct a full inquiry. 'Photo opportunity' But police say that the structure where the "weddings" were staged had nothing to do with Buddhism and that it was necessary to elevate the dogs so that they could be better photographed. Nine pairs of dogs were escorted by police for the "marriage" ceremony "This did not in anyway resemble a poruwa and was simply placed there for the photo opportunity," the police said in the statement. Police have apologised for any offence caused to cultural and religious sensibilities - Sri Lanka is 75% ethnic Sinhalese and Buddhist. They say that the "wedding" on Monday was intended to promote a programme to breed sniffer dogs domestically. Police told local media that in 2011 Sri Lanka spent 70m rupees ($526,000; £339,000) on importing police dogs from Netherlands. They said that the domestically-run breeding programme would not only keep this money in the country but would also produce dogs better suited to its climate. Constables served milk rice and cake to about 1,000 guests at the specially decorated venue where the ceremony was held. The dog couples were driven off by police van to the hill resort of Nuwara Eliya for their "honeymoon". Source: BBC News, Asia. ~*~ __._,_.___ . __,_._,___

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Secret of the Mythical City of Gold revealed

Secret of the mythical city of gold revealed: New El Dorado exhibition displays glittering artefacts used in South American drug-taking ceremonies Objects salvaged from a lake in Colombia date back to the 16th century Jewellery, masks worn during burial rituals and containers used for storing drugs are on display El Dorado refers to ritual when a new ruler of the native tribe was covered in gold before diving into the water By SARA SMYTH The reality behind El Dorado, South America's mythical city of gold, will be revealed at a new exhibition of ancient art. Exhibits including ceremonial gold helmets and objects used during ritual drug taking will go on show at the British Museum. El Dorado, often misinterpreted as a mythical city of gold, actually referred to a ritual that took place at a lake near the modern day city of Bogota in Colombia where the new ruler of one of the native tribes was covered in powdered gold before diving into the water. All that glitters: This ancient Colombian mask was worn during funeral processions Hardware: This helmet made from gold alloy comes from the Quimbayan tribe, who are noted for their spectacular gold work Ornate: This poporo (left) is topped with human faces and was used for storage. The delicate plate represents a bird (right) The exhibition includes objects salvaged from the lake dating back to before the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. Among the objects on show are a gold and platinum container used to store lime powder which was mixed with coca leaves and chewed.  Exhibition curator Elisenda Vila Llonch said the drug was valued because it 'gives you extra strength to work in high altitudes, in very cold climates and it suppresses hunger'. Style: The exhibition is a mixture of functional and decorative artefacts Delicate: This pained cotton tapestry was made by the Muisca people On the nose: This unusual plate is an articulated nose ornament made from gold alloy Other objects include jewellery and gold masks worn during burial rituals. Museum director Neil MacGregor said: "Ancient Colombia has long represented a great fascination to the outside world and yet there is very little understood about these unique and varied cultures. 'As part of the Museum's series of exhibitions that shine a light on little known and complex ancient societies this exhibition will give our visitors a glimpse into these fascinating cultures of pre-hispanic South America and a chance to explore the legend of El Dorado through these stunning objects.' Beyond El Dorado: power and gold in ancient Colombia runs from October 17 to March 23. Vessel: This poporo (pictured left) is in the shape of a seated woman. The device used by indigenous cultures for the storage of small amounts of lime. The helmet (pictured right) also features a naked figure Claw: These claw-shaped beaded necklaces are made from gold alloy (left) and red stone (right) __._,_.___ Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use • Send us Feedback . __,_._,___

Japan's Automated Underground Bike Storage

Japan's Automated Underground Bike Storage       Photograph by Danny Choo @ culturejapan.jp   The Problem Bicycles are a popular form of transportation in Japan. However, when parked they can take up a lot of public space that could otherwise be used by pedestrian foot traffic, small storefronts, etc. The Solution Rather than take up valuable real estate above ground, store them safely underground where they are protected from the weather and would-be thieves, while freeing up valuable public space.     Photograph by Danny Choo @ culturejapan.jp   The ECO Cycle Anti-seismic Underground Bicycle Park by Giken The ECO Cycle is an automated underground storage system for bicycles. Designed by Giken, it has a capacity of 204 bicycles and can retrieve a person's bike in approximately 13 seconds.     How It Works     Photograph by Danny Choo @ culturejapan.jp     Photograph by Danny Choo @ culturejapan.jp     Photograph by Danny Choo @ culturejapan.jp     Photograph by Danny Choo @ culturejapan.jp     Photograph by Danny Choo @ culturejapan.jp   1. IC tag fixed on front frame of bicycle is read automatically by the sensor in front of the Entrance Door, and then the Front Wheel Shutter opens automatically. Then, the front wheel should be placed into the open space. 2. After the front wheel is fixed by the Clamp, step away from the mat and then press "the Loading Button". 3. The Entrance Door opens automatically and then the bicycle is conveyed into the Eco-cycle. The door closes automatically. It is the end of loading operation. 4. Transporting Tray brings the bicycle down with revolving action to a vacant pallet. 5. The Transporting Tray slides to place the bicycle at the vacant pallet. It is the end of loading bicycle.     Photograph by Danny Choo @ culturejapan.jp       Photograph by Danny Choo @ culturejapan.jp     Photograph by Danny Choo @ culturejapan.jp Construction and Specifications - Earthquake-proof wall composed of pressed-in piles which form cylindrical wall - The Eco-cycle is completed by using prefabricated materials - Max bicycle weight 30kg (66 lbs) - Parking capacity: 204 - Retrieval speed: 13 seconds - Depth: 11.65 meters (38.22 ft) - Diameter: 8.55 meters (28 ft)     1. Pressing-in piles to form cylindrical wall by using a dedicated designed Silent Piler 2. Excavation inside the shaft to create the underground space 3. Installation of Mechanical parking system inside the shaft 4. Installation of the prefabricated entrance booth           __._,_.___   . __,_._,___

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HEALTH: Eat the right vitamin for your ailment

Grumpy? Eat a steak. Puffy ankles? Have a banana.  Eat the right vitamin for your ailment By ANGELA DOWDEN PUBLISHED: 23:51 GMT, 1 July 2013 | UPDATED: 23:51 GMT, 1 July 2013 Could that niggling health problem actually mean you're deficient in something? Learn what your body might be trying to tell you about the vitamins and minerals you could lack. Bananas, particularly high in potassium, will help prevent one from getting puffy ankles CRACKS AT THE SIDE OF YOUR MOUTH COULD MEAN YOU LACK: Vitamin B2.  RECOMMENDED DAILY AMOUNT (RDA): 1.3mg for men, 1.1mg for women. Fissures and sores around the mouth can point to a deficiency of vitamin B2 - the nutrient is essential for cell production and growth. Without it, the body cannot renew skin and mucosal cells around the lips quickly enough. The vitamin is also required for processing food into energy, so fatigue and migraines can point to B2 deficiency symptoms, too. A fifth of 11 to 18-year-old girls and about one in eight women have an inadequate vitamin B2 intake, according to the government's National Diet and Nutrition Survey. (Males are less likely to be affected because they eat more calories and, therefore, more food and nutrients in total.)  FOOD SOLUTION: Dairy products - milk- drinkers are very unlikely to lack vitamin B2 and adding just one 250ml glass daily (bumping up intake by 0.6mg) should solve a deficiency. LITTLE SENSE OF TASTE Beef and lamb steaks are an excellent source of zinc COULD MEAN YOU LACK: Zinc. (RDA): 5.5-9.5mg for men, 4-7mg for women. PooR zinc intake can affect our sense of taste. In research carried out at the University of Ulster involving 387 people, those who had lower levels of zinc in their red blood cells were less able to detect salty tastes.  How low zinc levels affect taste is unclear, but might be because zinc is required for the production of salivary enzymes and development and maintenance of tastebuds in general.  Other signs of zinc deficiency can include more frequent infections, such as colds and flu, and delayed healing of wounds, probably because the mineral has a vital role to play in the functioning of the immune system and in the repair and renewal of cells.  Teenagers are most at risk, with around a fifth of girls and a tenth of boys in this age group having unacceptable zinc intakes because of their diet FOOD SOLUTION: Red meat - beef and lamb are among the best sources of zinc, so aim to eat one to two portions the size of an 8oz steak or equivalent a week. Other sources include nuts, especially cashews and peanuts, and whole grains. STOMACH UPSETS COULD MEAN YOU LACK: Vitamin A. (RDA): 0.7mg for men, 0.6mg for womn. According to the government's National Diet and Nutrition Survey, around one in eight teenagers, of both sexes, and 10 per cent of men get too little vitamin A and could be at risk of minor vitamin A deficiency. Fewer women (6 per cent) are deficient, probably because women tend to eat more carrots and greens containing vitamin A. The most likely sign of low intake is poorer ability to stave off minor infections because the nutrient is needed to manufacture the protective mucous surfaces that keep bugs from entering the respiratory tract and gut. FOOD SOLUTION: A deficiency is easily solved, either by eating a carrot every day or having an occasional meal of liver (even once every two weeks is enough). Pregnant women shouldn't eat liver, though, as too much vitamin A can harm the foetus. FEELING GRUMPY  If you're feeling grumpy, you may lack iron, in which case it is advisable to eat an iron-rich food like eggs COULD MEAN YOU LACK: Iron. (RDA): 8.7mg men, 14.8mg women. Pale skin, light-headedness and spoon-shaped nails are oft-quoted signs of iron deficiency. But feeling cranky (along with tiredness and poor concentration) is a more common early symptom due to reduced levels of oxygen going to the brain, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.  Iron is a key component of red blood cells, and allows them to pick up oxygen and transport it around the body.  Up to 30 per cent of teenage girls and 17 per cent of women are affected by a low iron status, with risk being higher in women who have heavy periods.  FOOD SOLUTION: Red meat, nuts and greens - animal sources of iron such as beef, eggs and sardines are absorbed best, but nuts, pulses, green veg and fortified breakfast cereals are also good if taken with a source of vitamin C, e.g. orange juice, to boost absorption. Supplements may be the only solution in more severe deficiency.  PUFFY ANKLES COULD MEAN YOU LACK: Potassium (RDA): 3,500mg Potassium helps regulate the body's water balance and a low potassium intake, particularly when combined with too much dietary salt, can contribute to high blood pressure (you retain excess water that can cause blood pressure to rise).  Data from 3,300 people enrolled in the Dallas Heart Study in the U.S. showed that the amount of potassium in urine samples - reflecting dietary intake - was strongly related to blood pressure reading. Nearly a quarter of all women and teenagers and 16 per cent of over-65s have low intakes as a result of their diet, according to National Diet and Nutrition Survey data. FOOD SOLUTION: Eating at least five portions of fruit and veg- etable every day will help ensure you're not deficient. Bananas are particularly high in potassium. GENERAL ACHES Sardines are full of Vitamin D, which keeps bones strong COULD MEAN YOU LACK:  Vitamin D. (RDA): 5mcg. Weak bones are the sign of a severe, long-term vitamin D deficiency, but widespread aches, weakness and tiredness can indicate a milder deficiency. 'If a patient has several musculoskeletal diagnoses over time (for example, plantar fasciitis - a common cause of foot pain, hip, back and knee pain) then vitamin D deficiency should be suspected,' says Manchester-based GP, Dr Avril Danczak.  Low vitamin D levels occur across all age groups. Vitamin D helps regulate the minerals calcium and phosphorous, vital for developing and maintaining bone and muscle.  As well as keeping bone strong, the vitamin is thought to be important for the immune system and may boost cancer protection.  FOOD SOLUTION: Oily fish - if you eat two portions a week of fresh or tinned salmon, sardines or pilchards, it's unlikely you will be deficient, especially if you spend 20 minutes outside each day without sunscreen when it's sunny (so vitamin D can be made in the skin). __._,_.___   . __,_._,___

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