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Tuesday 10 January 2017

Air India ranks world’s third worst airline, PIA not on list

Indian national flag-carrier Air India was named world’s third-worst airline by aviation insights company FlightStats which puts together a list of the international airlines with the best on-time performance records.
And yes, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was not included in the list despite facing severe criticism in Pakistan
Here is the complete list along with the likelihood of getting delayed:
10. Hainan Airlines – 30.3 percent
9. Korean Air – 31.74 percent
8. Air China – 32.73 percent
7. Hong Kong Airlines – 33.42 percent
6. China Eastern Airlines – 35.8 percent
5. Asiana Airlines – 37.46 percent
4. Philippine Airlines – 38.33 percent
3. Air India – 38.71 percent
2. Icelandair – 41.05 percent
1. El Al – 56 percent
The company also listed world’s best airlines as well.
10. Qantas – 15.7 percent
9. TAM Linhas Aéreas – 14.93 percent
8. Delta Air Lines – 14.83 percent
7. Singapore Airlines – 14.55 percent
6. ANA – 14.46 percent
5. Austrian – 14.26 percent
4. Qatar Airways – 13.66 percent
3. JAL – 12.2 percent
2. Iberia – 11.82 percent
1. KLM – 11.47 percent
According to Jim Hetzel, vice president of aviation and distribution at FlightStats, compiling the list is no small feat. The only comparable resource is the monthly report (PDF) that the U.S. Department of Transportation puts out on major domestic carriers, relying uniquely on self-reported data from the biggest carriers in the United States; it doesn’t factor in any of those airlines’ international flights.
“We stitch data together from 500 different sources,” Hetzel told Bloomberg.
Among those sources are flight-tracking and positional services, airport runway times, radar services, airline records, airport data, and such governing bodies as Eurocontrol and the Federal Aviation Administration. “All of these pieces come in in different formats, all with different elements of value, and a lot of times the sources don’t agree,” said Hetzel.


Nisar in contact with intel agencies, hopeful of Salman Haider's recovery

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said Tuesday that he was in contact with intelligence agencies and was hopeful that missing human rights activist Dr Salman Haider would soon be recovered safe and sound.

Lawmakers had invited the interior minister to brief the House on details regarding the disappearance of and Fatima Jinnah University professor Salman Haider and at least three other social activists – Waqas Goraya, Asim Saeed, Saleem Haider and Ahmad Raza Naseer – who have also gone missing in the past week.
Briefing the upper house of parliament, the interior minister said the safe recovery of the missing social activists was the government's priority.
Nisar said the federal government neither pursues the policy of enforced disappearance of its own citizens nor will it tolerate this. He claimed that a number of people have been recovered in the last three and a half years due to the government's sincere efforts.
The interior minister said CCTV footage showed a Toyota double-cabin vehicle following Haider's car on the evening of his disappearance from Islamabad Capital Territory. Nisar said that footage showed the double-cabin vehicle disappeared for some time, only to reappear in the footage and was last seen driving towards Rawalpindi.
Nisar said the government was committed to bring the perpetrators behind Salman Haider's kidnapping to justice.
There are some clues and information which I cannot disclose to the House at the moment, he said.
He said Haider was abducted from Islamabad Capital Territory while the other three activists went missing from Punjab. He said the Punjab government was also pursuing the matter on a priority basis.
The government's agencies are monitoring this issue and it will take the investigations to its logical conclusion, he said.
Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan urged lawmakers to "avoid political point scoring in the nation's resolve against terrorism".
Nisar's briefing comes as the Human Rights Watch urged Pakistan to urgently investigate the apparent abductions of the four bloggers who campaigned for human rights and religious freedom, saying their near simultaneous disappearances raised concerns of government involvement.
Haider, Goraya, Saeed, and Naseer went missing from Islamabad and various cities of Punjab between January 4 and January 7.
The HRW statement came as leftwing and liberal activists prepared to hold protests throughout the country demanding the bloggers' release.
"The Pakistani government has an immediate obligation to locate the four missing human rights activists and act to ensure their safety," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
"The nature of these apparent abductions puts the ... government on notice that it can either be part of the solution or it will be held responsible for its role in the problem."
Pakistan is routinely ranked among the world's most dangerous countries for journalists.
Liberal activists are to hold protests in major cities on Tuesday afternoon, using the hashtag #RecoverAllActivists to generate support on social media.
In April 2015, prominent activist Sabeen Mahmud was killed by militants who said they carried out the attack because she promoted liberal, secular views.
In April 2014, unidentified gunmen attacked but failed to kill Hamid Mir, one of the country´s most recognised TV anchors.


Two labourers dead, four rescued after plaza collapses in Multan

MULTAN (Dunya News) – Two labourers have died while four rescued out of around 25 trapped under rubble after an under-construction plaza collapsed on Bosan Road near Chungi Number Six.

Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif has ordered to ramp up rescue efforts however, reportedly, heavy machines that were called for workers’ aid reached with delay for reasons yet to be disclosed.

According to the rescue authorities, lack of proper road infrastructure led to issues in the process. Emergency has been imposed in a nearby hospital.



Sources privy to the rescue department have reported that the accident took place whilst labourers were busy crushing walls between four shops on the ground floor.


COAS chairs 198th Corps Commanders' meeting in GHQ

RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Bajwa has chaired a meeting of corps commanders on Tuesday.

According to a press release issued by media cell of Pakistan Army, the army chief presided over 198th Corps Commanders’ meeting in General Headquarters (GHQ).
“The forum took comprehensive review of security environment and operational preparedness of the Army. Forum expressed satisfaction on progress of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and its positive effects on InternalSecurity,” the press release stated.
The ISPR reported that the army chief instructed for continuation of counter-terrorism operations and bringing stability in areas that have been cleared. He directed to ramp up efforts for repatriation of TDPs.
“COAS congratulated efforts of Strategic Organizations on successful test fire of Babur-3. Forum also appreciated performance of Military Courts during the prescribed duration which resulted into reduction of terrorism.”
The media cell reported that General Bajwa and the participants of the meeting asserted that support of all state institutions would continue at all levels to protest national interests and ensure national security.



PM Nawaz blames past govts for crises


ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressed a conference for the promotion of trade in Islamabad on Tuesday, reported Dunya News.

He claimed that a  new  Pakistan is on the rise and we are heading towards a social change. “The country is moving forward while development projects are being carried out", he added.
Nawaz Sharif slammed the past governments by saying that they did nothing for the country which is why we are facing numerous problems. He told that now the economy is rising day by day.
While pointing out the situation of transportation, he said that the structure of motorway is spreading while Pakistan Railways is also improving. He expressed faith in media but criticised some media networks that are trying to portray a negative image according to him.
The premier announced a package worth PKR 180 for manufacture exporters. He promised to end illiteracy and unawareness in the country.


Brazen

"Ugh!" Stephanie Dwyer slammed her apartment door and stomped her foot. "Creep!" A picture fell off the wall and shattered. Water logged, droplets dripped from her nose, her hair, and her eyelashes, pooling at her feet. She scowled. Her new high heels were utterly ruined.
     Courtney hid a chuckle behind her hand. Pointing the remote control at the television, she clicked off the sitcom she'd been watching. Her lips crooked into a half smirk. "This one turned into a jerk, too?"
     Stephanie dropped her purse onto the coffee table and flopped onto the couch. She kicked her shoes off, scaring the cat who ran into the other room. Staring at the ceiling, she said, "All men should crash and burn."
     "That good?" Courtney sat forward, flicking her long black hair behind her shoulders. "There's got to be a couple of good men out there. All we need is one good man each. Is that too much to ask?"
     Stephanie lifted pained eyes to her roommate and best friend. "I don't think there's two good guys in this whole universe. I give up. I've had it. I'm not kissing any more toads."
     Courtney looked thoughtful, tapping her chin with her forefinger. "Maybe we've been looking in the wrong universe."
     Her friend was losing it big time. "What are you talking about?" Handsome Patrick had seemed so perfect, so wonderful. Until she'd caught him with Alyssa tonight, telling her the moon and stars shone only for her, that they were soulmates - the same pathetic lines he'd snared her with.
     Some soulmate!
     Jumping to her feet, Courtney paced in front of her. "What we need is a vacation away from the city to someplace totally different."
     "With totally different kinds of men." Despite herself, her interest was piqued. "We need men who are the opposite of the bozos we've been finding here. No more big shot professionals."
     Courtney grinned from ear to ear. "No more men who drive Mercedes."
     "Or who wear Rolex's." Steph started to feel alive again.
     "Or who drink champagne." Courtney downed a sip of her diet soda. Mischief danced in her dark eyes. "Give me a down to earth man who guzzles beer."
     The spirit grabbed Steph, rejuvenating her. "Give me a man who wears boots!"
     Courtney slapped her thigh. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
     Steph couldn't help but crack a smile. "Let's catch ourselves a couple of cowboys."
     "Yahoo!" Courtney crossed the room and turned on the computer.
     Steph followed her, staring over her shoulder. Her friend went straight to the Ultimate Travel Agency's booking page.
     "I like Texas style. That okay with you?" Courtney's fingers flew over the keyboard as she hummed Mickey Gilley's tune, Looking For Love in All the Wrong Places.
     "Sounds yummy. But no big cities. Nothing remotely like New York."
     "Don't worry. I'm in the mood for a little two-stepping and wrestling in the hay." Courtney paused, looking up at her. "Can you get off work for two weeks now? I'll have Suzie reschedule all my appointments or give them to Glenn." Courtney was a psychologist and could pretty much set her own schedule.
     "Tony owes me two years vacation. I'll tell him to give me two weeks now or pay me severance plus vacation pay." Big words said with lots of bravado.
     "You go girl." Courtney thrust the phone into her hands.
     "You mean now?" Steph's voice cracked, hoarse. Bother her boss at home on the weekend? He'd kill her. Suddenly she didn't feel so brave. Rent was pretty high and she still owed student loans . . . .
     "Unless you wanna pay for nonrefundable tickets and waste them?" Her roommate batted her eyelashes coyly, her finger poised over the enter key.
     Scowling, Steph punched numbers on the phone. Sucking in a huge breath, she prayed Tony was in a good mood.
Courtney circled her hand above her head as she rode the mechanical bull. "Yahoo!" She pushed her new red cowboy hat back on her head, and then crooked her finger at Steph who line danced next to a hunky Billy Ray Cyrus look alike. "Your turn."
     No way! Sore thighs and a broken rump weren't her idea of vacation. She shook her head, unused to the feel of her own cowboy hat. Courtney had made her wear it, swearing no one could visit the Lone Star state without wearing a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, and a Texas tie. For good measure, her friend had given her a big silver and turquoise belt buckle to wear, also. "I'll pass."
     "Oh no you don't! Everybody rides the bull." The cutie pie next to her scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bull. His voice coated her like honey, and his eyes warmed her soul, making her tingly all over.
     Half-heartedly she laughed, protesting, "But this is so Urban Cowboy . . . ."
     The man's wavy brown hair fluttered around his gorgeous face and she longed to run her fingers through it. "Tell you what, ma'am. You ride the bull and I'll take you for a moonlight ride out on the range on my mare."
     Tongue-tied, she smiled down at the man. "I don't even know your name."
     When he draped his arm across the front of the bull and smiled up at her, she about melted into his arms. He had the sexiest, liveliest eyes she'd ever seen. Deep brown, soulful, and fringed with the longest, sootiest lashes she'd ever seen on a man. They put her own to shame. "I'm Cory Lord. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
     Her heart pitter-pattered so loudly she was sure he knew she was pleased to make his acquaintance, too. Breathlessly, she said, "I'm Stephanie Dwyer." She could kick herself for sounding so starry-eyed. Any moment she'd drool. They sure didn't make men like this in the big city. Courtney should change careers and open a dating service. Thus far she had a completely satisfied client. And she'd never cared for men with hair longer than hers before. Texas must be seeping into her blood.
     Courtney's lilting laughter broke into her thoughts. "Who needs Patrick what's his name?"
     Unable to tear her gaze away from Cory, she smiled dreamily. "Patrick who?"
     "Wahoo! I knew this place was magical. See if he has a friend for me?"
     Like Courtney lacked male attention! Five knock-out cowboys vied for her friend's attention.
     The bull went wild beneath her, almost hurling her off before she knew her ride had begun.
     "Scallop your rear and squeeze with your knees." Cory steadied her when she would've fallen off. His large calloused hands burned through the thin material of the shirt covering her waist.
     Incredible yearnings to feel his hands slide lower blindsided her. She couldn't string two coherent thoughts together or exhale air from her lungs. She'd never felt so exhilarated. So alive.
     Perspiration had beaded her brow and upper lip by the time the bull slowed to a stop. Tendrils of damp hair clung to her heated cheeks.
     "Your turn." She laughed as Cory lifted her down from the mechanical critter. He didn't move back so she slid down his length, into the curve of his arms, feeling every sinew, every muscle of him.
     As if on cue, the band slowed their pace and crooned a song of love turned wrong. Pathos washed over them and Cory sang in her ear, his warm breath driving her mad. His hands kneaded her waist, mesmerizing her, setting her on fire.
     She'd never been engulfed in such flame, never been so mindless over any man. She didn't even know where he lived or what he did for a living! All she knew was his name and that he had the most incredible effect on her and that he had the most kissable looking lips she'd ever laid eyes on.
     She stared up at those lips: soft, yet firm and chiseled, darting out her tongue to lick her own suddenly dry lips. Undeniable hunger surged through her. She had to taste his lips, had to nibble them and tease them or she'd die. It was a photo-finish whether he leaned down to savor her lips first or if she tiptoed up to press her lips to his first. It wasn't a contest but if it was, they were both winners.
     No one had ever kissed her like this before. Not Patrick. Not Gary. Not any of their predecessors. Cory's lips ignited fires deep in her belly, shooting fireworks through every nerve ending, and turning her knees to gelatin. If not for his strong arms encircling her waist or her arms latched around his neck, she'd have melted to the floor.
     Instead, she strained against him, needing him fiercely, longing to be one with him. The feelings were so strong they scared her, yet she couldn't break free. She'd rather stop breathing.
     She wanted to protest when he drew away. Chill air chapped her bruised, swollen lips.
     His gaze smoldered into hers. "Let's check out the moonlight . . . . I'm getting claustrophobic." His teeth nipped her earlobe, and then his tongue lathed her ear.
     Arching her neck she shivered against him. He was right. They were too closed in it was too smoky in here. Fresh air and privacy lured her. When he captured her hand in his larger one, she let him lead her outside.
     Courtney flashed her a dazzling smile and gave her the thumbs up sign. She'd wrangled herself a cowboy, too - a young Robert Redford in a black cowboy hat that gazed at her with adoration and longing.
     The music faded as Cory led her out to his truck. Crickets serenaded them and stars twinkled overhead in the Texas sky.
     Warm fuzzies filled her and she looked at him seductively, giving into her urge to kiss him long and slow and rub her body against his. When he groaned into her mouth, she pressed closer. She knew she tempted him beyond all mercy. She shocked herself at her brazenness. But she couldn't help herself. She couldn't get enough of him. No man had ever gotten under her skin like this one. Not so like lightening nor so deep.
     Tomorrow didn't matter, only here and now. She wanted him like she'd wanted no one else.
     Then Courtney's laughter sliced through the spell, and Cory pulled back. Not much, but their lips no longer plundered each other. Their bodies still curved against one another, sharing heat, trembling.
     Mortified at her own response, she laughed self-consciously. Huskily, she murmured, "I've never behaved this way before. I've never . . . ."
     He put his fingers over her mouth, shushing her. "You've never fallen head over heels in love at first glance before?" He stroked her hair. "Me neither. I think you've bewitched me."
     A slow, sexy smile dawned over his face that made her blood simmer. "Our hearts know each other." He dragged her hand to his chest and she splayed her fingers over his rapidly beating heart.
     She smiled back, deciding to follow her heart. He trembled as she traced his strong jaw line with her fingernail and she delighted in her effect on him. "Guess I caught myself a cowboy."
     Cory blushed, craned his neck, and gazed up at the stars. In a gruff, hesitant voice he said, "I'm not a real cowboy."
     "No?" She let her gaze slide over his body, from the tip of his pointy, dusty cowboy boots, to his Texas tie. Languidly, she asked, "What are you then?"
     "A venture capitalist from Chicago." He cocked a half grin at her. "I thought I'd come here to find a good old fashioned country girl."
     The irony caught her off guard and she chuckled. "I'm from New York City. I wanted a good old fashioned country boy."
     His gaze turned serious as he hauled her back against him. "Too late. . . . I'm staking my claim and I'll fight any of those cowboys that come near you."
     "Ditto, Sir. I didn't really fancy living on the range with a lot of smelly cows anyway." She rubbed her aching behind and admitted, "And I don't ever want to ride that darn mechanical bull again as long as I live!"
     Cory laughed. "Done. How about we hold any more talk till morning?" He nibbled her neck as his hands caressed her heated flesh.
     All thought fled.
Thanked by: Elaine Hopper - http://www.eastoftheweb.com/

First Love Letter

It was his first letter to her and the only one to begin a new chapter in their lives.
She opened her first letter and all the memories drove her to that special day which she still felt blessed about!



“Oh!!!  I just drew that, you naughty wave!!” she said innocently with a smile on her face.

It’s not that she wasn’t aware of the fact that, no matter how much she wanted her inscribed figures to remain as it is on the wet sand, those waves would wash them away. But, still she complained as if the waves could understand her. Realizing that she was just being silly to talk to waves like that, she turned around slowly to make sure that he didn’t see any of it. “Thank God he didn’t notice me!” she murmured as she found him, as usual writing something in his diary. She knew that as long as he was busy writing, he won’t pay any attention to the world around him. “Even if it was being attacked by humongous dinosaurs, he would have continued to write” she thought. Her own imagination made her chuckle.

She turned towards the sea, took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She could feel the wind on her face. She was able to feel the deep happiness within her. The sweet experience of being with the one she always loved and to be bound-less at the same time made her smile endlessly. She was startled with a tap on her shoulder. It was him. “Shall we go back?” he asked. She nodded with a smile and they both walked towards their hotel. While on their way she spotted a raised shack which was perfect to sit and enjoy sea view without any sunburns during the day. “Hey, we’ll sit there tomorrow.” She said. He saw the spot and agreed with a smile. They reached their hotel, had dinner and headed towards their room, separately .

Yes, separately! They were two good friends on a much needed vacation, away from the hustling of crowded city, overly crowded social media, professional and personal network.

A pact was signed between them, not literally but, yes something like that. According to the pact: One, they would respect each other’s privacy by staying in separate rooms during their vacation.
Two, will not hinder each other’s activity to enjoy this leisure time.
Three, will not compel each other to enjoy time together, both will have full freedom to visit places separately.
Well, they did stick to the first two conditions but, every time they ended up going to places together.

While lying on the bed of her hotel room all she could think about was him being a thorough gentleman to her, always. She knew that nothing was possible between them but, she was smitten by his caring and chivalrous nature. “Dear God, please bless this man with the best of everything…he is such a perfect human being.” she prayed for him, just like every other night. Little did she know what was happening in the other room where he mumbled, “Amen!”

Next morning she woke up to the warm smell of coffee kept on her side table…and this was a sign for her to know he was around. It was a routine during their stay. Every morning he would come to her room to share the morning coffee and discuss their plans for the day. She never admitted to him that waking up to see his face, first thing in the morning, was the best part of her day.

While they were planning, he said he had some work which he needed to do alone and so, will be able to catch up with her later. They decided to meet on the spot in the afternoon, which she chose last evening. It was unusual of him to ask her to go ahead alone but, she recalled the conditions of their pact and so, agreed to him.

It was two in the afternoon when she reached the spot but, there was no sign of him. She looked around the shack and found it a bit different from what it looked last evening; it was decorated with her favorite flowers that made it look & smell amazing. She found a bunch of papers on the coffee table with a note written for her, saying “Just for you!!” She sat on the couch with those papers in her hand and couldn’t help but, blush. It was a letter from him, to her; comprising of several pages having beautiful pictures of her. She never found herself beautiful though but, those photographs were telling a different story. Each page had one photograph with a request attached to it.

It read,

“Hi, I didn’t know how to say this so, here I am doing what I am good at…writing everything that I have always felt but, never admitted to you. But, I guess this “time-out” has given me a lot of time to look inside, accept and express the most pleasant emotion I have ever felt!!! 

You know what is the best part of my day? It’s when I see your face every morning. You look so peaceful while sleeping. I don’t remember the last time I had a peaceful sleep like that.

I must confess today that I have always envied that hair strand of yours. Because unlike it, I could rightfully never be so close to you. I have always wished to touch your beaming face, to kiss your forehead to say how much I love you. I have wished to caress your soft and supple cheeks. I have wished to whisper “good morning my love” in your ears to wake you up every single day. I have always wished to be rightfully close to you, I want to feel the peace, with you, like you. May I?

When I saw you talking to the waves the other day, you were being silly but, I loved the fact that you were being unapologetically you. Do you know that you bite your tongue when you are up to such things and how much I love to see that.

No one has ever known me so well like you do and so, would know that I have never let myself to be so carefree. I have always held back because of some unknown fear. But, I have always loved the way you have been yourself without being bothered about how others would see you…I want to enjoy being silly with you, like you, unapologetically. May I?

When you were enjoying the winds near the shore with your eyes closed and that sweet smile on your face, I couldn’t help but, admire your acceptance of those little moments of joy and happiness which you embrace so lovingly.
I have forgotten to feel the depth of happiness. I want to embrace every moment, every happiness of my life with you, like you. May I?

My Love, I want to spend my life with you, loving you, like you, May I?”



All this while when she thought that he was not paying attention to her and did not feel anything; he was there, he was always there. This very thought made her look at him in a different way altogether and she found herself falling in love with him, all over again.

It was his first letter to her and the only one needed to begin a new chapter in their lives. While she was trying to absorb all those feelings, he came and kneeled before her with a ring in his hand.



“Show Naani…show us the ring!! Is it the same ring that Nana gave you?” All her grandchildren surrounded her and asked in unison. “Yes” said their Nana from behind. “That is the ring which I gave to the most amazing woman in the world” he said, while holding her hand, as she blushed.

ENGLISH SHORT STORY PUBLISHED ON DECEMBER 19, 2016 BY DAKSHA CHOPRA

Thanked by: http://yourstoryclub.com


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