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Bahawalpur royal state once thrived under the embrace of the Sutlej River. Today, just a division of Punjab, its vibrancy has dimmed, replaced by a grim tapestry of poverty and disease. This transformation is no natural consequence but the direct outcome of human intervention: the drying up of the Sutlej, a casualty of the Indus Waters Treaty and years of mismanagement. Dr. Hassan Abbas, an acclaimed water management expert, recently offered insights that illuminate both the depth of this crisis and a way out. The Sutlej River, historically a source of life and prosperity, was once a blessing for Bahawalpur and its adjoining regions. The river’s seasonal flooding deposited fertile alluvium, enabling agriculture with minimal input. Natural lakes brimming with fish and vast grazing pastures sustained both human and animal populations. The local economy flourished, with goods flowing through trade routes that connected this state to the wider Rajputana regions. However, the partition of British India in 1947 and the subsequent signing of the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960 disrupted this harmony. The treaty allocated the Sutlej entirely to India, leaving Bahawalpur deprived of its lifeline. The impact was devastating. Without the Sutlej’s water, the fertile lands of delta turned to dust. Agriculture dwindled, forcing people to migrate or switch to less productive means of livelihood. Those who stayed battled not just the loss of income but a rising tide of diseases caused by polluted and saline groundwater. Today, Bahawalpur’s hospitals overflow with patients suffering from gastrointestinal, liver, and heart ailments, all tied to the poor quality of water. Dr. Hassan Abbas, who recently led a research initiative in Bahawalpur with a team of international researchers, believes the region’s plight stems from this environmental degradation. “The unusually high numbers of beggars I see in Bahawalpur are the descendants of once-prosperous communities who thrived along the Sutlej. The river’s absence has stripped them of both dignity and livelihood,” he remarked. His assessment aligns with grim statistics: Bahawalpur now suffers from one of the highest malnutrition rates in Pakistan, with 60 percent of its children facing stunted growth due to food insecurity. ‘The river may have dried, but beneath its sands lies the key to renewal.’ Dr. Abbas research offers both a diagnosis and a prescription. His focus has been on the groundwater reserves beneath the Sutlej’s dry riverbed. The floods of 2023, which brought an unprecedented about 7 MAF of water to the area, revealed a silver lining. Half of that water percolated into the ground, replenishing aquifers under the ancient river channel. “These reserves are a hidden treasure,” Dr. Abbas explained. “They hold clean, drinkable water that can meet the needs of the region’s population, livestock, and even sustainable agricultural activity.” He proposes a practical solution: a sustainable water extraction system powered by solar technology. This method, known as Riverbank Filtration (RBF), is already a success in developed countries. By tapping into the groundwater near riverbanks, the system delivers clean water to communities while preserving ecological balance. For Bahawalpur, this approach could transform lives. Dr. Abbas suggests starting with “Smaller Cholistan,” a region situated 20-40 miles from the Sutlej’s course. From there, the model could expand to serve cities, towns, and villages along the river’s path. But his vision does not stop at water. He envisions integrating this water supply into a broader strategy for food security. Rehabilitated pastures could once again support livestock, and the water could irrigate high-value crops, reducing the region’s dependence on external food aid. Dr. Abbas is critical of current government plans, particularly the proposed canal systems aimed at diverting floodwaters from the Chenab River to Bahawalpur. “The planned canals, costing 221 billion rupees, are an outdated and inefficient approach,” he argued. “What happens when there’s no floodwater? Will they take water from central Punjab’s farmers or the perennial canals feeding Cholistan?” This system, he believes, would exacerbate conflicts over water allocation without offering a reliable solution. Instead, he advocates for harnessing Sutlej aquifers through RBF systems. Solar-powered pumps could bring water directly to where it’s needed, eliminating the need for costly infrastructure that depends on unpredictable flood cycles. Additionally, this method would address the pressing issue of groundwater contamination. Water in towns near the Sutlej has become saline, while agricultural runoff has polluted areas where farming persists. Clean water from the aquifers would not only improve public health but also reduce healthcare costs, alleviating some of the economic burden on already struggling families. Cholistan, a region of unparalleled historical and ecological significance, stands at a crossroads as modern agricultural practices threaten its unique heritage. This vast desert is home to the majority of Indus Valley Civilization sites, many of which remain unmapped and unprotected. These archaeological treasures, remnants of one of the world’s earliest urban societies, face the dual threats of plunder and destruction as irrigated agriculture expands. The loss of these sites would not only erase irreplaceable chapters of human history but also diminish Pakistan’s cultural and scientific legacy. Beyond its historical significance, Cholistan serves as a vital sanctuary for migratory birds, including Siberian cranes and the prized houbara bustard. These species depend on the region’s wetlands and seasonal water bodies, which are increasingly jeopardized by unsustainable irrigation practices. The desert’s ecosystem also sustains rare camel breeds and cows adorned with jingling bells, forming the backbone of local pastoral life and culture. Striking a balance between development and conservation is crucial to preserving its ecological richness and archaeological wealth, ensuring that this national In Bahawalpur, once a symbol of self-reliance and prosperity, the absence of the Sutlej has forced people into desperate circumstances. Small landowners, squeezed by population growth and shrinking water resources, can no longer sustain themselves. Many families have abandoned their ancestral homes, migrating to urban slums in Karachi, where survival remains a daily challenge. Dr. Abbas’s findings offer a glimmer of hope. If implemented, his vision could reverse decades of decline. It’s a plan rooted in modern science but guided by the wisdom of nature. By recognizing the Sutlej’s hidden bounty and using it judiciously, Bahawalpur can regain some of the prosperity it once knew. As Dr Abbas left Bahawalpur, his words lingered: “The river may have dried, but beneath its sands lies the key to renewal.” It’s a reminder that while the Sutlej’s surface may no longer flow, its legacy remains – waiting to be rediscovered, harnessed, and shared for the benefit of those who call its banks home. The writer is an Islamabad-based veteran journalist and an independent researcher. He can be reached on Twitter @riazmissenPredators play the Devils following Josi's 2-goal game
CIBC Asset Management Inc bought a new stake in shares of Cathay General Bancorp ( NASDAQ:CATY – Free Report ) in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 4,683 shares of the bank’s stock, valued at approximately $201,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in shares of Cathay General Bancorp by 504.2% in the second quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 24,568 shares of the bank’s stock worth $927,000 after buying an additional 20,502 shares during the period. Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Cathay General Bancorp in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $378,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Cathay General Bancorp by 39.4% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 29,804 shares of the bank’s stock worth $1,124,000 after acquiring an additional 8,429 shares in the last quarter. Choreo LLC bought a new stake in Cathay General Bancorp during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $499,000. Finally, CWA Asset Management Group LLC purchased a new position in Cathay General Bancorp during the third quarter valued at approximately $671,000. 75.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have recently commented on CATY shares. Wedbush raised their price objective on shares of Cathay General Bancorp from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Truist Financial increased their price target on Cathay General Bancorp from $45.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, September 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $44.00. Cathay General Bancorp Trading Up 2.5 % Shares of CATY opened at $52.81 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $3.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.30 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.03. Cathay General Bancorp has a 1 year low of $33.88 and a 1 year high of $54.07. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $46.08 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $41.84. Cathay General Bancorp ( NASDAQ:CATY – Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Monday, October 21st. The bank reported $0.94 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.95 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $359.86 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $182.70 million. Cathay General Bancorp had a net margin of 20.57% and a return on equity of 11.30%. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.13 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that Cathay General Bancorp will post 3.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Cathay General Bancorp Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 27th will be issued a $0.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 27th. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.58%. Cathay General Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 34.26%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, EVP Thomas M. Lo sold 900 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.00, for a total value of $42,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 3,359 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $157,873. This trade represents a 21.13 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, Vice Chairman Peter Wu sold 40,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.87, for a total value of $2,114,800.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 295,252 shares in the company, valued at $15,609,973.24. The trade was a 11.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last three months, insiders have sold 60,590 shares of company stock worth $3,055,488. Corporate insiders own 4.76% of the company’s stock. Cathay General Bancorp Profile ( Free Report ) Cathay General Bancorp operates as the holding company for Cathay Bank that offers various commercial banking products and services to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in the United States. The company offers various deposit products, including passbook accounts, checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, and public funds deposits. Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Cathay General Bancorp High Dividend REITs: Are They an Ideal Way to Diversify? Vertiv’s Cool Tech Makes Its Stock Red-Hot What Are Dividend Contenders? Investing in Dividend Contenders MarketBeat Week in Review – 11/18 – 11/22 Best Stocks Under $10.00 2 Finance Stocks With Competitive Advantages You Can’t Ignore Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CATY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cathay General Bancorp ( NASDAQ:CATY – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Cathay General Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cathay General Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Cowboys win wild one vs. Commanders to halt five-game slide
AMCAP Group: AI is the Best Testament to Technological Development 11-26-2024 09:22 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: SHENZHEN HMEDIUM INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD The continuous advancement of technology is driving new momentum across human society, and the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has made this empowerment both more accessible and efficient. In the financial sector, the impact of AI is equally transformative. From lowering investment barriers for everyday individuals to equipping seasoned investors with precise market analysis tools, AI is reshaping financial management, making asset management both smarter and more intuitive. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/c5a825791493726842a7b63ded5196e2.jpg According to financial planners at the international wealth management firm AMCAP Group, AI-driven finance is still in its early stages in China, holding vast untapped potential. In contrast, overseas markets have already integrated AI deeply into financial services, yielding significant improvements in service efficiency, investment decision-making, and risk management. It is widely anticipated that the Asia-Pacific region will become the next "blue ocean," with major asset management institutions prioritizing this market as a core area for strategic expansion. AMCAP Group's financial planners emphasize that AI technology is not just revolutionizing business innovation models for financial institutions-it is also redefining the financial experience for investors. For example, online financial products powered by AI statistical analysis are enabling users to execute trades more swiftly while enhancing transparency and security. This integration creates new opportunities for both individual investors and financial service providers. The future is already here. By leveraging the power of AI, AMCAP can seize the opportunities of our time. Whether in the investment industry or daily life, artificial intelligence is ushering in a wave of transformation. The synergy between AI and finance is producing unprecedented results. In 2024, AMCAP Group's newly upgraded AI parameter-based financial management system will stand as a testament to this technological evolution. This system not only exemplifies how technology empowers finance but also acts as a valuable tool for ordinary people on their journey toward financial independence. Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Media Contact Company Name: AMCAP Contact Person: Jayden Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=amcap-group-ai-is-the-best-testament-to-technological-development ] Country: United States Website: http://www.amcapp.cc This release was published on openPR.The Detroit Lions saw four different players exit their Week 12 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts at different points in the game due to injuries. Those four players were wide receiver Kalif Raymond, left tackle Taylor Decker, running back David Montgomery and cornerback Carlton Davis. The only player to return to the game was Decker, who exited briefly with knee and ankle injuries. Of the other three, Raymond was the only one officially ruled out with his foot injury. Davis suffered a knee injury and Montgomery had a shoulder injury and were listed as questionable but did not get back in the game. Following the 24-6 win over the Colts, head coach Dan Campbell revealed that he is feeling OK about Davis, Decker and Montgomery moving forward, but he did note that it looks like Raymond is going to miss some time. Dan Campbell says he feels "OK" about injuries to Carlton Davis, David Montgomery and Taylor Decker, but says Kalif Raymond's foot injury is "a little more serious." With that, says he's not sure if any of those four will be ready for Thursday vs. Chicago. Raymond suffered his injury during a punt return, which led to the Lions using wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in the role the rest of the game. Montgomery was spotted on the sideline with his helmet on after emerging from the locker room, so it looks like he could've played had the game been closer. Davis was spotted on the sideline riding the exercise bike after he exited the field under his own power, so it would appear he dodged a bullet and it's possible he was held out for the rest of the game as a precaution. Detroit was already shorthanded at cornerback after Terrion Arnold was ruled out before the game and Ennis Rakestraw was placed on injured reserve. The Lions activated Emmanuel Moseley off injured reserve on Saturday, so they did get a reinforcement to help weather the storm. The bad news for the Lions is that their injured players won't have a lot of time to recover before their next game. Detroit will host the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on Thursday. The Lions will release their first injury report of the week on Monday afternoon.
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Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. People began showing up almost immediately. Washington Square Park is a known spot for chess in New York — Bobby Fischer among others have famously played there, and it's been a spot used for multiple movie scenes featuring the game. Wembanyama was there for an hour in the rain, from about 10-11 a.m. He played four games, winning two and losing two before departing to catch the Spurs' flight. Wembanyama had been trying to get somewhere to play chess for the bulk of the team's time in New York — the Spurs played the Knicks on Christmas and won at Brooklyn on Friday night. The schedule never aligned, until Saturday morning. And even with bad weather, he bundled up to make it happen. He posed for photos with a couple of dozen people who showed up, braving a morning of cold rain to play chess with one of the NBA's biggest stars. “We need an NBA players only Chess tournament, proceeds go to the charity of choice of the winner,” he wrote on social media after his chess trip was over. Wembanyama is averaging 25.2 points and 10.1 rebounds this season, his second in the NBA after winning rookie of the year last season. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBAInfighting erupts in Kerala BJP following Palakkad bypoll defeatJulián Álvarez picking up the scoring pace with Atletico Madrid
Happiness and joy are frequently seen as interchangeable, but that’s something of an oversimplification. Happiness is internal and personal; joy is external and infectious. We experience happiness; we share joy. The converse is not true. The opposite of happiness is sorrow, which certainly can be shared, but the opposite of joy is melancholy and loneliness, which is often endured in isolation. At this time of year (and perhaps especially this year), notwithstanding the impending Christmas season, joy seems particularly scarce. Evening darkness intrudes earlier and earlier. Sunlight is diminished and its warmth weakened. Temperatures fall. The dark days of winter encroach. Barren trees, gardens and farmland remind us of our own mortality. During a recent early morning walk the frost lightly covered the mounds of leaves fallen from the trees and gathered at the roads’ edge waiting to be collected. A light layer of ice coated car windows and smoke rose from the chimneys of several houses. Not unlike our ancient ancestors, having celebrated the fall equinox, we are hunkered down in anticipation that when it comes the winter solstice will bring rebirth. Joy is a hope, but not now a reality. Additionally, now is the time when baseball has taken a hiatus and we have lost the game’s fields of dreams. Baseball is often associated with our agricultural past, with a time when nearly all of us tilled fields, grew crops or raised livestock. Some view baseball fields as a reminder of that rural heritage. We’ve forgotten that baseball, as we know it today, was not a rural phenomenon — notwithstanding the myth of Abner Doubleday’s invention of the game in Cooperstown. Baseball was an urban sport that became our “national pastime” during the industrialization and urbanization of the 19th century. As crops emerged once again from the soil, as buds appeared on trees and flowers to signal restoration of order and life in rural America, the sounds of baseball on urban streets and in urban parks provided a similar signal in American cities. As former commissioner of Major League Baseball A. Bartlett Giamatti wrote, baseball revives each spring and we rely on it “to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive, and then, just when the days are all twilight, when you need it most, it stops.” Worse still, those of us who favored a particular New York team witnessed an embarrassing and painful collapse. To make matters worse, there is no promise that a rebirth in the spring will bring success. Joy is once again stifled. Arguably the most distressing loss of all, at least for myself and others who align with my political perspective, was of course this month’s presidential election. One side focused on being joyful and positive, the other on fear and retribution. There was no joy to be found in the results. Sorrow, and perhaps even despair, replaced joy. In the face of these events, where do we find joy? One answer can be found in Khalil Gibran’s poem “On Joy and Sorrow,” in which Gibran asserts, “Your joy is your sorrow unmasked ... the selfsame well from which your laughter arises was oftentimes filled with your tears.” In other words, joy and sorrow are not separate and distinct emotions; they are one and the same. We cannot feel joy without some sense of sorrow, nor sorrow without some sense of joy. As much as life cannot be disengaged from death, sorrow and joy are likewise bound. Yet there is a promise within this dichotomy. Gibran also tells us that the “deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.” The intensity of our sorrow creates new space for the intensity of future joy. Sorrow begets hope for rebirth and restoration of joy. There is no magic formula to find joy. It cannot be promulgated from on high, nor can it be wished into existence. There is no clear pathway to find joy. Each of us must make a conscious choice to seek joy. We cannot find joy. However, joy will find us if we are open to it. That conscious choice and that openness requires us — both individually and in community — to share our sorrow, embrace our grief, accept our failures, proclaim our anger, refuse to surrender hope, plan for our successes and never stop expecting to find joy.UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York