Dr. Vivek Cheba discusses the resilience of entrepreneurs in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing that the entrepreneurial spirit remains strong despite challenges. He highlights the importance of learning from failures, maintaining an open mind, and fostering a positive work environment. Cheba believes Canadian entrepreneurs will lead economic recovery and underscores the significance of cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset to overcome setbacks and identify opportunities.

The article presents a novel approach for human facial emotion classification using a customized ResNet18 model integrated with a triplet loss function and an SVM classifier. The method demonstrates superior performance on the JAFFE and MMI datasets, achieving accuracies of 98.44% and 99.02%, respectively. The approach involves using RetinaFace for face detection and ResNet18 for feature extraction, followed by SVM for classification. The study highlights the challenges of inter-class variance and the need for fine-tuning on larger, imbalanced datasets like FER2013 and AFFECTNET.

Pakistani students in Wuhan, including Shanzay Cheema and Obaid Iqbal, are facing fear and uncertainty amid the coronavirus outbreak. Despite other countries evacuating their citizens, Pakistan has not, citing poor quarantine infrastructure. The World Health Organization is aiding Pakistan in creating isolation wards, but the government's decision has been criticized by opposition parties and students alike. Virologist Muhammad Munir suggests that Pakistan lacks adequate health services to manage quarantine requirements. The Chinese authorities have assured that Pakistani nationals will be treated well, but this provides little solace to the students.

Pakistan ranks as the fourth deadliest country for journalists, with 115 killings since 1990, according to an International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) report. The report highlights that 2,297 journalists and media workers have been killed globally in the last 25 years, with Iraq being the deadliest country. The IFJ emphasizes the need to end impunity for violence against media professionals and calls on governments to investigate journalist killings and bring perpetrators to justice. The Asia Pacific region has the highest death toll, followed by the Middle East, the Americas, Africa, and Europe.

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is considering demoting retired general David Petraeus for loaning classified Afghan war journals to his mistress, Paula Broadwell. This demotion could significantly reduce Petraeus's pension. Petraeus, previously praised for his military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, was fined and placed on probation last year for providing classified information to Broadwell. Carter, known for his strict stance on inappropriate behavior, is reviewing the Army's recommendation not to demote Petraeus. The decision could impact Petraeus's legacy and financial future.

Novak Djokovic revealed that a member of his team was approached about fixing a match early in his career and questioned the appropriateness of betting companies sponsoring major tennis tournaments. He emphasized that match-fixing is no longer a problem at the top level of tennis but acknowledged the need for a debate on the involvement of betting companies in the sport. Critics have urged Tennis Australia to reconsider its sponsorship deal with William Hill, highlighting concerns about the message it sends.

At least 20 people were killed and 15 wounded in an Al Qaeda attack on the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The attack, claimed by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, involved gunfire and explosions, with Burkinabe forces preparing to rescue hostages. French forces might join the counter-assault. The incident follows a similar attack in Mali in November. Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Alpha Barry confirmed the situation, and the French embassy labeled it a terrorist attack. The Burkinabe army also reported an earlier attack near the Mali border. The country has faced several recent attacks, but this is the first in the capital.

Under Pakistan's National Action Plan, 2,159 terrorists have been killed and 1,724 arrested by law enforcement. The Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control reported to the National Assembly that 332 individuals were executed under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 98.3 million SIMs were blocked, and 933 URLs and 10 websites of militant organizations were shut down. Measures included strengthening the National Counter-Terrorism Authority, registering cases against hate speech, and regulating madressahs. The report also highlighted a significant decrease in various crimes in Karachi due to the Rangers operation and mentioned reconciliation efforts in Balochistan and the registration of Afghan refugees.

A car bomb attack by Kurdish militants on a police station and adjacent housing in southeastern Turkey killed five people and wounded 39. The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) was responsible for the attack, which included rocket fire and long-range gunfire. The conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state has intensified since July, following attacks blamed on Islamists. The PKK, initially fighting for Kurdish independence, now seeks greater autonomy and rights for Kurds. The recent violence has led to curfews and military operations in southeastern Turkey.

A series of explosions and gunfire in Jakarta left seven people dead, including four attackers. The attacks occurred in multiple locations, including near the Pakistani and Turkish embassies and a Starbucks cafe. Indonesian police have arrested four suspected militants and are investigating the incidents. The attacks have been condemned by both Indonesian and Pakistani leaders, with President Jokowi Widodo urging the public not to be afraid. The situation is now under control, but authorities remain cautious of further threats.

Police in Karachi have registered a terrorism case against leaders of the Tanzeemat-i-Ahle Sunnat for inciting violence by advocating for Mumtaz Qadri, the convicted killer of Punjab governor Salman Taseer, during a rally. The FIR names several prominent religious leaders, including Sunni Tehreek chief Sarwat Ejaz Qadri. Despite warnings, the leaders defied state rules, prompting legal action under the National Action Plan. The Sunni Tehreek has threatened protests if the charges are not withdrawn, accusing the Sindh government of politicizing the issue. The police maintain that the enforcement of the law is necessary to uphold state authority.

Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, initiated a Quadrilateral Coordination Committee meeting aimed at reviving the Afghan peace process. The committee, comprising Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, and the US, seeks to establish a roadmap for peace talks with the Taliban, who have not been invited to the current discussions. Aziz emphasized the importance of avoiding pre-conditions and military threats, proposing four guiding points for the reconciliation process. The meeting aims to create a conducive environment for direct talks between the Afghan government and Taliban groups, with Pakistan expected to present a list of Taliban representatives willing to negotiate. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani highlighted the need for regional cooperation to combat terrorism and achieve lasting peace.

Norway is offering courses to asylum seekers to help them understand and respect women's rights, aiming to prevent violence against women. This initiative follows a series of sexual assaults in Cologne, Germany, and similar incidents in other European cities. The courses, run by the private company Hero, address cultural differences and sexual assault prevention. Belgium plans to introduce similar courses. Critics argue that such programs are insufficient without broader social support and restrictions on immigration. The Alternative to Violence foundation has also experimented with dialogue groups to prevent violence, though their future is uncertain.

The Government College University in Lahore has identified and preserved the hostel room where Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal resided from 1895 to 1900. The room, located in what is now the Allama Iqbal Hostel, remains unchanged since Iqbal's stay. The identification was based on an article by Iqbal's contemporary, Ghulam Bhik Nairang. The initiative fulfills the late Justice Javed Iqbal's wish and has been praised by Iqbal's grandson, Muneeb Iqbal. The university plans to restore the room to its original condition and allow top academic students to stay there temporarily.

The Jamaat-i-Islami announced plans for a long march and sit-in at the Prime Minister's House in Islamabad if the original China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project is not executed as promised. The protest, which took place outside the Governor's House in Peshawar, was attended by multiple political parties and caused significant traffic disruptions. Speakers at the event, including JI provincial chief Mushtaq Ahmad Khan and senior ministers, expressed dissatisfaction with the federal government's changes to the CPEC plan, which they believe disproportionately benefits Punjab at the expense of other provinces, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

India is awaiting Pakistan's response to the actionable intelligence provided regarding the Pathankot incident before deciding on the resumption of bilateral peace talks. The foreign secretaries of both nations had a meeting tentatively scheduled for January 15. India's foreign ministry has accused the militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad for the attack, and Pakistan is following up on the leads. Indian and Pakistani prime ministers are attempting to keep dialogue on track despite the attack, which killed seven Indian military personnel and wounded 22. National security advisers from both countries are in contact to maintain dialogue.

Polio cases in Karachi dropped by 70% from 23 in 2014 to 7 in 2015, with further reductions expected. Commissioner Asif Hyder Shah, known for his effective approach, will lead the Karachi Task Force for Polio. The Sindh Emergency Operation Centre for Polio, WHO, and UNICEF are key players in this success. A helpline has been activated for public complaints and information. The next vaccination campaign will target 8.2 million children across Sindh.

The Ganda Singh police in Kasur arrested a man named Azhar for allegedly burning a Bible and other religious books in a church. The incident was reported by John Masih, whose wife witnessed the act. The police were informed and took the accused into custody. A delegation of Christians expressed satisfaction with the police's timely action. In other incidents, robbers looted a textile unit in Mustafaabad, and a man was shot dead over a money dispute in Raja Jang village.

Netflix, the world's leading video-streaming network, announced the launch of its services in Pakistan and 129 other countries. The service, starting at $7.99 a month, was launched during a keynote by Co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Shares of Netflix rose significantly following the announcement. The company aims to reach 200 countries by the end of 2016, although US government restrictions prevent availability in Crimea, North Korea, and Syria. Netflix is also exploring options to enter the Chinese market.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak warned that the province would not allow the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to pass through if it did not receive its due share. Addressing a convention organized by Pakhtunkhwa Ulasi Tehreek, Khattak criticized the federal government and Punjab for neglecting smaller provinces. He emphasized the importance of the western route of the CPEC for the province's development and called for unity among political leaders to secure provincial rights. Other political leaders echoed his sentiments, stressing the need for equitable development and the crucial role of CPEC in rehabilitating the province affected by terrorism.

The Punjab government has authorized a woman magistrate to record the statement of a 15-year-old gang rape victim who attempted suicide due to undue police interrogation. The victim's family reported that she was harassed by police questioning. The suspects, including members of the PML-N Youth Wing, have been arrested and are under investigation. A three-member inquiry team and a four-member medical team have been constituted to probe the incident and conduct medical examinations. DNA reports are pending.

Israel's Education Ministry has rejected the inclusion of the novel 'Borderlife,' which explores a love affair between a Jewish woman and a Palestinian man, in the high school curriculum. The decision, reportedly due to concerns about encouraging intermarriage, has sparked accusations of censorship and impinging on freedom of expression. The rejection comes amid heightened Israeli-Palestinian tensions and follows other controversial government actions perceived as targeting liberal and critical voices. Authors and politicians have condemned the move, highlighting ongoing debates about assimilation and cultural identity within Israel.

Hackers executed a distributed denial of service (DDOS) attack on the BBC’s websites, causing them to be offline for several hours. The BBC press office initially attributed the issue to a technical problem but later confirmed the sites were back up and running. The attack disrupted access to BBC.com and related websites, which have a significant global readership.

With enhanced coordination and support from security forces, the Fata Secretariat has achieved full accessibility to all regions of Fata for polio vaccination. Shakil Qadir, coordinator for the Fata Emergency Operation Centre, reported significant progress in reducing the number of inaccessible and missed children, vaccinating nearly 900,000 children in 2015. Despite challenges in areas like Tirah valley and Shawal valley, various strategies are being employed to improve vaccination rates. The persistence of poliovirus in Pakhtun areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan remains a concern, but intensified efforts are being made to vaccinate children crossing from Afghanistan.

Democrats, under pressure to address terrorism more aggressively, are citing George W. Bush's post-9/11 stance on Muslims to counter Republican rhetoric. President Obama and Hillary Clinton highlight Bush's refusal to demonize Muslims, contrasting it with proposals like Donald Trump's Muslim ban. The Democratic National Committee released an ad showing Bush's inclusive message, while Bernie Sanders visited a mosque in solidarity. The article underscores the Democrats' strategic use of Bush's example to argue against policies they believe jeopardize national security and fuel extremist narratives.

Chaudhry Sarwar of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf highlighted the severe issue of unsafe drinking water in Pakistan, stating that 82% of the population lacks access to clean water, leading to 1.1 million deaths annually, including 250,000 children. He pointed out that a significant portion of the population in Punjab suffers from waterborne diseases due to contaminated water. The fact sheet released by Sarwar also mentioned the high levels of arsenic in Lahore's water and the use of polluted water for vegetable cultivation. He criticized the government's failure to address the problem, noting that NGOs and philanthropists, rather than the government, are installing filtration plants. The article also mentioned the death of an account officer due to brain-eating amoeba from non-chlorinated water.

A 10-month-old girl died at Karachi's Civil Hospital after being denied entry due to VIP protocol for PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's visit. The child's father blamed the protocol for her death, as all entry points were closed for the inauguration of the Benazir Bhutto Trauma Centre. Senior PPP leaders justified the protocol, citing security concerns. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari ordered an inquiry into the incident, expressing his anguish. The hospital's superintendent attributed the issue to encroachments around the hospital, denying that gates were closed.

The American Embassy in Islamabad has issued a warning about potential terrorist attacks in the city during the Christmas and New Year holiday period. The alert advises American citizens to avoid crowded places such as markets, restaurants, hotels, and places of worship. American government personnel are under additional movement restrictions. A Pakistani intelligence official mentioned a general threat perception but no specific threats.

Hina Rabbani Khar, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan, criticizes the US government's preference for dealing with military regimes, which she argues has disrupted Pakistan's democratic process. She defends her government's actions, acknowledges the military's historical influence, and denies allegations of state-sponsored terrorism and complicity in the US drone program. Khar emphasizes the need for strong regional relationships, particularly with India and Afghanistan, and highlights the Zardari government's efforts to normalize trade with India.

Eight convicted murderers were executed in various jails across Punjab, Pakistan, bringing the total number of executions to around 310 since the moratorium on the death penalty was lifted last December. The executions occurred a day before the anniversary of the Peshawar Army Public School attack, which led to the lifting of the six-year moratorium. The hangings took place in Multan, Bahawalpur, Gujrat, Attock, and Dera Ghazi Khan. Two scheduled executions in Adiala jail were stayed after reconciliation between the deceased and their families. The death penalty's resumption has been supported as a measure against militancy but criticized for the country's unjust legal system. International organizations have called for the re-imposition of the moratorium.

The CIA police in Gujranwala arrested three individuals for posting pictures with assault rifles on Facebook, seizing three Kalashnikovs and 244 bore rifles. City Police Officer Waqas Nazir commended the CIA staff and urged continued action against such activities. In a separate incident, a woman was tortured by her family for a love marriage and later abandoned near a canal. Additionally, re-polling in five union councils of the Gujranwala Municipal Corporation is scheduled for December 30.

The Afghan government has granted one-year multiple entry visas to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa businessmen to enhance Pakistan-Afghanistan trade relations. The announcement was made by the Afghan Consul General in Peshawar, Syed Mohammad Ibrahimkhel, who also called for the removal of illegal checkpoints on the Peshawar-Torkham Highway. KPCCI officials welcomed the move, hoping it would increase trade volume and facilitate access to Central Asian markets. Senator Ilyas Ahmed Bilour criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for failing to improve business activities and accused the Chief Minister of deceiving people with promises of new industrial estates.

The article delves into the severe trauma experienced by survivors and parents of the deceased children from the Army Public School (APS) attack in Peshawar. It highlights the profound mental health issues faced by individuals like Seema Bibi, who has been severely affected by the loss of her son. Medical experts emphasize the long-term need for counseling over medication to address post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The KP government has established a trauma center, and foreign experts have been involved in providing counseling. However, the recovery process is slow and challenging, with many families struggling to cope with their grief and memories of the attack.

Babylonia, a 36-year-old Syriac Christian woman, left her children and job to join a female militia fighting IS in Syria. Encouraged by her husband, she and other women are part of a small battalion in Hasakeh province, inspired by the YPJ. The unit, part of the Syrian Democratic Forces, has seen action in Al-Hol with US-led coalition support. The fighters, motivated by historical massacres and a desire to protect their community, undergo rigorous training and aim to prevent further atrocities.

Saudi women, despite being allowed to vote in municipal elections and hold senior corporate and government positions, still face severe restrictions including bans on driving, traveling, marrying, and working without a male guardian's consent. They must cover themselves in public, receive less inheritance than men, and cannot easily divorce. The article underscores the ongoing gender inequality in Saudi Arabia.

A seminar organized by the All Parties Hurriyet Conference in Islamabad highlighted the human rights violations committed by Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir over six decades. The speakers called for the inclusion of Kashmiri leaders in the dialogue between Pakistan and India and urged the international community to act beyond condemnation. They suggested that Pakistan should bring the issue to the UN Human Rights Council and the International Court of Justice. The seminar concluded with a resolution detailing the systematic violence in the region and the need for the withdrawal of Indian troops.

During President Xi's visit to Islamabad, Pakistan and China signed 51 Memorandums of Understanding, establishing an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and advancing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The agreements cover a wide range of areas including economic and technical cooperation, infrastructure development, energy projects, and cultural exchanges. Key projects include the up-gradation of the Karakorum Highway, development of Gwadar port, and various power projects such as the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project and several wind and solar power projects.

In Pakistan, where governmental support for autism is lacking, mothers have taken the initiative to support their autistic children. Dr Naima Haider, an ophthalmologist, struggled to understand her son's lack of communication until she learned he was autistic. She found help at the Autism Resource Centre (ARC) in Rawalpindi, founded by Ghazal Nadeem and Bushra Suhaib, which provides therapy and training for autistic children and their mothers. Despite the challenges, success stories emerge as children improve their communication skills and integrate into society. The article also discusses the experiences of other parents and the broader context of autism awareness and advocacy in Pakistan and South Asia, highlighting the need for government action and the importance of self-advocacy.

Participants of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek sit-in in Islamabad are experiencing health issues such as diarrhoea, skin infections, and malaria due to unhygienic conditions. Despite the PAT leadership's efforts to provide timely food and manage the sit-in, the prolonged event and environment are causing increased suffering. The leadership is considering relieving participants before Eidul Azha.