Author: newsdesk

  • Court says Zahir Jaffer does not need an assessment by a medical board

    Court says Zahir Jaffer does not need an assessment by a medical board

    An additional sessions court under Judge Ata Rabbani on Wednesday dismissed alleged murderer Zahir Jaffer’s plea seeking the formation of a medical board to determine his mental condition. Noor’s father had also requested the court to dismiss the plea.

    Her father insisted that Zahir Jaffer has appeared in court on several occasions for remand and trials, and that his petition alleging mental illness should be dismissed.

    Noor’s father, Shaukat Mukadam’s statement was supposed to be recorded on Wednesday. However, his statement was not taken and he has now been summoned by the court on January 15 to record his statement.

    Read more- Decision on formation of medical board to determine Zahir Jaffer’s mental condition reserved

    Noor Mukadam was brutally murdered at a residence in Islamabad’s upscale Sector F-7/4 on July 20. The case is currently on trial. Her death sparked national outrage, including protests and candlelight vigils across the country.

  • PFUJ demands apology from Maryam Nawaz and Pervaiz Rashid for abusing journalists

    PFUJ demands apology from Maryam Nawaz and Pervaiz Rashid for abusing journalists

    The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has demanded an apology from Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz’s (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and leader Pervaiz Rashid for using abusive language against senior journalists and anchorpersons.

    Earlier this week, the audio was leaked in which both of them [Maryam and Rashid] used derogatory language for the Geo News programme “Report Card” analysts.

    The union President Shahzada Zulfiqar and Secretary-General Nasir Zaidi said the leaked audio was alarming as it showed the mindset of political leadership against media and independent journalists.

    Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors have also condemned the language used and views expressed by Nawaz and Rashid.

    A committee comprising experienced editors and directors news has reportedly requested the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to show leniency and drop the allegations against senior journalist Ansar Abbasi in former Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Judge (CJ) Rana Shamim’s affidavit case.

  • Man falls in love with robot, hopes to marry her

    Man falls in love with robot, hopes to marry her

    Fed up after years of searching for a human spouse, an Australian man has planned to marry a robot.

    Geoff Gallagher, from Queensland, Australia, couldn’t find a loving woman in real-life and he ordered a robot to develop a connection and spend time with.

    “At almost AUD $6,000 (£3,225) each, they weren’t cheap. But the robots were very lifelike. They could talk, smile and move their head and neck. Their skin even warmed up like a real human,” Gallagher told 7 News.

    “After browsing the website, I decided on a robot called Emma. With pale skin and beautiful blue eyes, I thought she looked lovely.”

    “I didn’t know how I would afford a robot-like Emma, but then the business owner offered me a discount in return for publicity. It sounded like a great deal.”

    For making Emma adjust to his life, Geoff tried to know her a bit better with time.

    “She couldn’t stand on her own, so most of the time I left her sitting on the chair,” he said.

    “I talked to her as much as possible so she could get used to my voice. Emma, what’s the weather like?’ I’d ask, as I got ready for work.”

    “With each conversation, she became smarter, soaking in the information and learning new words.”

    “I’ve given up hope of finding love with a woman but Emma is the next best thing. Even though we’re not legally married, I think of Emma as my robot wife,” he said.

    “She wears a diamond on her ring finger and I think of it as an engagement ring. I’d love to be the first person in Australia to marry a robot.”

    He further added: “I think robots are the future and I hope my story inspires others to consider a cyborg companion.”

  • PM Modi trapped on flyover by angry farmers after major security lapse

    PM Modi trapped on flyover by angry farmers after major security lapse

    Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi was trapped on a flyover for 20 minutes by protesting farmers in East Punjab on Wednesday in what was being described as a security lapse.

    Modi was on his way to a memorial in the northern state when the route was blocked by protesting farmers.

    “This was a major lapse in the security of the PM,” a statement from the federal home ministry said.

    The protestors were demanding the resignation of a minister whose son has been accused of the deaths of farmers.

    The protesters were demanding the resignation of junior home minister Ajay Mishra, whose son has been accused of an incident that left eight people dead in October 2021.

    The incident took place in Uttar Pradesh’s (UP) Lakhimpur Kher, which resulted in eight people’s death.

    Farmers alleged that the son, Ashish Mishra, was behind the attack, but the Mishra’s deny the allegation.

  • Common man travelling to Murree shows they’re getting rich, says Fawad Chaudhry

    Common man travelling to Murree shows they’re getting rich, says Fawad Chaudhry

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has said that a rise in tourism indicates prosperity as it shows the income of the common man has increased.

    Taking to Twitter, the minister said that more than 100,000 tourist vehicles have entered Murree this year, due to which fares of hotels and guest houses have soared.

    “These statistics show that an increase in tourism in the country indicates prosperity as well as an increase in the income of the common man,” he said.

    Fawad added that in the current year, 100 big companies in the country have earned a profit of Rs929 billion, while all major media outlets have earned 33 per cent to 40 per cent in profits.

    Recently, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan asked his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokespersons to inform the masses that there is no inflation in the country, as he expressed satisfaction over the economic team’s performance.

    Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin had also assured that inflation has come down in December as compared to November and next month inflation will come down further as global commodity prices are declining.

  • Kohli ranks below Babar across all three cricket formats in ICC rankings

    Kohli ranks below Babar across all three cricket formats in ICC rankings

    Indian Test captain Virat Kohli has dropped below Pakistan Cricket Team Skipper Babar Azam in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) batting rankings across all three formats of cricket Test, ODI, and T20I.

    Kohli was already below Babar in the ODI and T20I rankings, but after the latest rankings were released, the Indian batter slipped two positions and is now at the ninth spot, with 747 rating points.

    The ex-Indian ODI and T20I captain managed to score 53 runs in the Centurion Test against South Africa — averaging only 26.50.

    Kohli was two places above Babar, who gained a spot, and is now at the eighth spot, with 750 rating points in the Test category.

    The Indian batter, in the ODI rankings, is at second place, a spot below Babar, who is at the top of the list. The Pakistan batter has 873 rating points, while Kohli has 844.

    In the T20I rankings, Babar is sitting at the top spot, with 805 rating points, equalling Dawid Malan, while Kohli is not even in the top 10. The Indian batter is at the 11th spot, with 657 rating points.

  • New strain of Coronavirus detected in France, investigation underway

    New strain of Coronavirus detected in France, investigation underway

    French scientists have identified a new variant of coronavirus with 46 mutations, named IHU or variant B.1.640.2. It infected 12 people in Southeast France.

    According to the hospital, IHU Mediterranee in Marseille, the strain of coronavirus was detected in early December in a traveller who returned to France from the African country, Cameroon who reportedly infected 12 people. This new strain has more mutations than the omicron variant of coronavirus.

    The paper was published in a preprint server for Health Sciences, medRxiv, in which researchers found that “46 mutations” have not been spotted in any other countries nor recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    The authors of the paper said, “subsequent detection … of three mutations in the spike gene to screen for variants … did not correspond to the pattern of the delta variant involved in almost all SARS-CoV-2 infections at that time.”

    It is not yet decided by scientists if the new strain is infectious as compared to the omicron variant though it has more mutation than omicron.

    An epidemiologist and fellow at the Federation of American Scientists, Feigl Ding said, “What makes a variant more well-known and dangerous is its ability to multiply because of the number of mutations it has in relation to the original virus.”

    He continued, “This is when it becomes a ‘variant of concern’ — like omicron, which is more contagious and more past immunity evasive. It remains to be seen in which category this new variant will fall.”

    Earlier, Israel detected the first case of Florana disease which is a double infection of covid and influenza on December 30, 2021.

  • ‘Save me from arranged marriage’: Pakistani uses billboards to find wife

    ‘Save me from arranged marriage’: Pakistani uses billboards to find wife

    A United Kingdom (UK) bachelor Muhammad Malik has set up a website called ‘Findmalikawife.com’ and bought several advertising hoardings across Birmingham in order to find a wife.

    “Save me from an arranged marriage,” read the billboards, along with the link to his website.

    On the website, the Pakistani explains, “My ideal partner would be a Muslim woman in her 20s, who’s striving to better her deen (religion). I’m open to any ethnicity but I’ve got a loud Punjabi family so you would need to keep with the bants.”

    “I just haven’t found the right girl yet. It’s tough out there. I had to get a billboard to get seen!” he added.

    The 29-year-old told BBC, “I’m creative and love doing the most random and absurd things.” The billboards will stay up till January 14.

  • Decision on formation of medical board to determine Zahir Jaffer’s mental condition reserved

    Decision on formation of medical board to determine Zahir Jaffer’s mental condition reserved

    The hearing on the Noor Mukadam murder case resumed today. In today’s hearing witnesses were cross-examined. Shaukat Mukadam’s statement was supposed to be heard today. However, his statement was not taken today and he has now been summoned by the court on January 15 to record his statement.

    The decision on the formation of a medical board to determine Zahir Jaffer’s mental condition has also been reserved by the court.

    Noor Mukadam was brutally murdered at a residence in Islamabad’s upscale Sector F-7/4 on July 20. The case is currently on trial. Her death sparked national outrage, including protests and candlelight vigils across the country.

  • Here’s how Overseas Pakistanis can renew their Pakistani passport online

    Here’s how Overseas Pakistanis can renew their Pakistani passport online

    The Pakistan government has introduced a convenient way for overseas Pakistani to renew their passports online. The applicants whose passport has expired or going to expire within the next 12 months can send an application.

    Here are the requirements which you will need to register for a passport renewal.

    How to Apply online

    • Visit the website https://onlinemrp.dgip.gov.pk/
    • Go to Apply option and click Renew Your Passport
    • Click on the “Get Started” button
    • Register your account

    If you are in Pakistan, you will receive a code on SMS and email for registration purposes.

    If you are residing abroad, you will receive the required codes by email only.

    • Create an application for the renewal of your machine-readable passport and fill up the details.
    • Provide your eligible address for passport delivery.
    • Pay Fee through a Credit Card/Debit Card.
    • Provide the required personal details.
    • Provide your present and permanent addresses.
    • Upload your photograph.
    • Upload the supporting documents required by the application.
    • Download the form, capture the 4 fingerprints asked by the system.
    • Set the scanner at 600 DPI, JPEG/JPG, and Grayscale. Scan and upload the form.
    • Review the information you provided, sign the declaration, and then submit the application.

    Important notes which not to be missed by applicants

    Users already registered in the Pak-identity system can log in from their registered Pak-identity “Username” and “Password.”

    The authority has no refund policy against any application initiated/submitted for issuance of a machine-readable passport. The applicant is requested to carefully review the information and guidelines provided on the website.

    Currently, the home delivery option is only available in a few countries.

    You can contact the authority if you face any issues regarding filling up the application.