Author: newsdesk

  • Sheheryar Munawar urges people to speak against ‘injustice’ in Palestine

    Sheheryar Munawar urges people to speak against ‘injustice’ in Palestine

    Sheheryar Munawar has urged his fans and followers to speak for the people of Palestine.

    Taking to Instagram stories, Munawar wrote: “I have never asked you anything for myself, but today I ask you not to stay quiet. To open your minds and hearts and speak for the people of Palestine. Speak against the injustice.”

    Read more – ‘Use your influence for the right thing’: Hania Aamir, Zara Noor urge people to call out violence in Palestine

    The actor urged his followers to educate themselves on the current situation in Palestine and further educate others.

    “Take some time to first educate yourselves, not only about what’s happening now in the region but what has been going on for the past 70 odd years,” he added.

    Munawar said: “And then if it feels right to you, educate those around you.”

    In another post, Sheheryar went on to say, “There are 14.7 million Jews in the world – and a total of around two billion Muslims in the world. How many narratives (films) each year do we consume on the holocaust? Now compare that to the number of films, documentaries, shows about the ethnic cleansing, genocide in Palestine? Or for that matter, what’s happening in Syria, Yemen (I could keep going but you get the point), exactly right?”

    “We need more narratives, we need media agencies to start talking, we need people to start talking,” he concluded.

    With the constant airstrikes pounded on Gaza, at least 212 Palestinians, including 61 children, have been killed since the attacks began. About 1,500 Palestinians have been wounded.

  • ‘What’s wrong with people?’: Alizeh Shah responds to criticism on new song

    Alizeh Shah has hit back at those criticising her choice of outfit rather than talking about important topics like Palestine. The actor is being targeted for her clothes in the music video of her debut song with Sahir Ali Bagga. Alizeh was also the top trend on Pakistani Twitter on Monday with people passing indecent remarks over her physical appearance.

    Responding to the attacks, Shah said: “I find all the memes and criticism amusing.”

    “However, the fact that a trivial topic to discuss is now the most trending issue in our country instead of becoming a voice of Palestine,” continued the actor.

    “What’s wrong with our people,” she questioned.

    The song named Badnamiyan is produced by Amria Sahir and is directed by JoviFilms and is penned down by Imran Raza.

    Shah was recently seen in the Ramazan special drama serial Tanaa Banaa along with Danyal Zafar. The on-scene chemistry between Danyal and Alizeh was admired by many.

  • Malik Riaz, wife, refuse to get tested for coronavirus at the airport, home

    Malik Riaz, wife, refuse to get tested for coronavirus at the airport, home

    Real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, his wife, and another member of his team allegedly refused to undergo Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) for coronavirus when landing at Lahore airport, violating the instruction of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

    In a letter written to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) headquarters in Karachi, Lahore airport chief operating officer and manager Akhtar Mirza said the Bahria Town CEO refused to give samples for the Covid-19 test. The team of airport health staff went to his residence to follow up with a test but Riaz refused to take the test.

    Letter written to the CAA, regarding Malik Riaz refusing to take the Covid test

    Riaz, along with four other people, landed at Lahore Airport from Dubai. After the passengers passed through the immigration process, the CAA duty staff requested Riaz and his fellows to undergo the RAT, which is a rapid diagnostic test that directly detects the presence or absence of the antigen and gives results within few minutes.

    “But they did not respond and rapidly moved towards international arrivals exit gate,” Mirza stated in the letter.

    Riaz, Bina Riaz and Shahid Mahmood Qureshi, “left the airport without [the test] which is an open violation of NCOC instructions and SOPs”, the letter added.

    The CAA management then contacted the government health team and Riaz’s personal staff officer to obtain the RAT samples from the property tycoon’s residence. A two-member team of airport health staff subsequently left for Riaz’s house shortly “but unfortunately once again [he] flatly refused to give samples for the requisite test.”

    The letter was submitted to the airport services director at CAA Karachi headquarters for his “information and further necessary action”.

    After detection of the coronavirus in some passengers arriving in Pakistan and despite them having negative PCR test results, the CAA tightened the rules regarding testing.

  • PM Khan’s aide Zulfi Bukhari resigns over allegations of corruption

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis, Zulfi Bukhari has stepped down from his position, owing to allegations in the ongoing Ring Road inquiry. Zulfi made the announcement on his Twitter account.

    “My Prime Minister has always said that if a person has been named rightly or wrongly in any inquiry he should cease to hold any public office till his name has been cleared of charges ,” wrote Zulfi Bukhari.

    “Owing to the allegations in ongoing Ring Road inquiry I want to set this example, by resigning from office until my name is cleared up of any allegations and media’s obnoxious lies,” he added.

    He continued by saying, “I reiterate that I have nothing to do with Ring Road or any ongoing Real Estate project. This time the inquiry should be done by capable personnel. I endorse a judicial inquiry.’

    “I’m here to stay in Pakistan and stand united with the Prime Minister and his vision.”

    “I sacrificed my life overseas to come and serve my country, I am ready to face any inquiry,” he concluded.

    His resignation has come after an order by the National Accountability Bureau, to look into alleged corruption and illegal land requisition in the Rawalpindi Ring Road project.

  • Season 2 of ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Ishq Jalebi’ not happening, says writer

    Season 2 of ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Ishq Jalebi’ not happening, says writer

    Saima Akram Chaudhry, who has penned the wildly successful Chupke Chupke, Ishq Jalebi and Suno Chanda has said that there will be no second or third seasons of these dramas.

    “Dear fans, viewers and followers, I know you loved Chupke Chupke, Ishq Jalebi and Suno Chanda. I am grateful to all but it’s not possible for me to take your Instagram calls and talk [to] everyone,” wrote Akram on social media.

    “Please accept my apologies and don’t call directly. Trust me it’s too irritating and it is too unethical to call someone at midnight,” she said further.

    Chaudhry also said that she cannot help anyone launch their career in the entertainment industry as it’s not her department.

    “And channels are not planning for season two or three,” added Chaudhry.

    Meanwhile, earlier fans had speculated that a sequel of Chupke Chupke was in the works after Ayeza Khan shared a clip of herself and Osman Khalid Butt dressed up as Meenu and Faazi from the drama.

    Furthermore, director Danish Nawaz said that there is a possibility for a sequel if the script and story are good. He said discussions on the topic are ongoing and that he cannot confirm anything as yet.

    On the other hand, Arslan Naseer, who played Haadi in the romantic comedy, has shut down rumours of a second season.

  • Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan graduates from University of Southern California

    Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan graduates from University of Southern California

    Shah Rukh Khan’s elder son Aryan Khan has graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) in the United States.

    Read more – Shah Rukh Khan teases fans in witty #AskSRK session

    A picture of the Bollywood superstar’s son in his graduation robe has gone viral on social media. As per details, the graduation ceremony was held recently with social distancing norms in place. It is not yet clear whether SRK and his family managed to attend the ceremony.

    Aryan graduated as part of the Class of 2020 and was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts, Cinematic Arts, Film and Television production from the School of Cinematic Arts.

    As per reports, Aryan does not wish to become an actor but hopes to pursue a career as a filmmaker.

    Interestingly, Friends star Lisa Kudrow’s son also graduated from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts on the same day as Aryan. Kudrow’s son Julian graduated as part of the Batch of 2021.

  • Miss Mexico crowned Miss Universe 2021 in a politically charged pageant

    Miss Mexico crowned Miss Universe 2021 in a politically charged pageant

    Miss Mexico was crowned Miss Universe on Sunday in Florida, after fellow contestant Miss Myanmar used her stage time to draw attention to the bloody military coup in her country.

    Read more – Sri Lanka’s Mrs World gives up title after criminal charges

    Sunday night marked the Miss Universe competition’s return to television after the pageant was cancelled in 2020 for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Andrea Meza, 26, finished first ahead of the Brazilian and Peruvian finalists in a flashy televised event, hosted by American actor Mario Lopez and television personality Olivia Culpo.

    Former Miss Universe contestants Cheslie Kryst, Paulina Vega and Demi-Leigh Tebow (who won the title in 2017) served as competition analysts and commentators, and a panel of eight women determined the winner.

    Dressed in a sparkling red evening gown, Meza tearfully walked the catwalk as Miss Universe for the first time, before rushing back for a group hug with the other competitors.

    https://twitter.com/MissUniverse/status/1394125260203728898?s=20

    Meza beat more than 70 contestants from around the globe in the 69th installment of Miss Universe, which was held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

    In the days leading up to the final competition, Miss Myanmar Thuzar Wint Lwin, who made the top 21, made waves when she used her time in the spotlight to bring attention to the coup in her country.

    “Our people are dying and being shot by the military every day,” she said during her biographical video, which showed photos of her taking part in the anti-coup protests. “Therefore I would like to urge everyone to speak out about Myanmar.”

    She also won the award for best national costume: during that competition segment on Thursday, she wore an outfit beaded in traditional Burmese patterns and held up a sign that said, “Pray for Myanmar.”

    Myanmar has been in uproar since February 1, when the army ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

    At least 796 people have been killed by security forces since then, according to a local monitoring group, while nearly 4,000 people are behind bars.

    Miss Singapore Bernadette Belle Ong — who did not make the top 21 — also used the national costume portion to make a political statement.

    Dressed in a glittering red bodysuit and matching thigh-high boots, she turned around to reveal her cape — in the colors of the Singaporean flag — was painted with the words “Stop Asian Hate.”

    “What is this platform for if I can’t use it to send a strong message of resistance against prejudice and violence?” she wrote on Instagram alongside pictures of her outfit.

    The United States in particular has seen a surge in anti-Asian violence in the past year, which activists have blamed on former president Donald Trump’s rhetoric, especially his repeated description of Covid-19 as the “China virus.”

    Meanwhile, Uruguay’s De los Santos, who wore a bold rainbow outfit with a floral crown and black boots, used her outfit to advocate for LGBTQ rights.

    The pageant has also drawn criticism in the past for objectifying the contestants. In recent years, the competition has shifted image, focusing more on female empowerment and activism.

  • Mahira Khan says she was scared of doing Indian projects

    Mahira Khan says she was scared of doing Indian projects

    Mahira Khan has opened up about the ban on Pakistani artists in India, saying said she was “scared” to sign web series on Indian platforms.

    Talking about the ban on Pakistani artists, Mahira in an interview with Film Companion, said: “I guess, having experienced it firsthand, it’s just sad. When I think about it… I mean, we have all moved on.”

    “That’s what we do, if we don’t have this, we do something else. That’s what happens. But I feel like a great opportunity for the entire subcontinent to come together and collaborate was lost. I think it might happen again. Who knows?” continued the actor.

    Khan, who will narrate one of the short stories, Guriya in an upcoming Zee5 series, said that she received offers for other digital projects but turned them down.

    “A lot of the other series were offered to me and at that time… I don’t know if anybody will understand when I say this, I was scared. I was genuinely just scared. It wasn’t about what people say, I was just like, ‘I don’t know if I want to go there.’ And there was some content which was amazing, and I didn’t want to miss out on it,” shared the actor.

  • Suspect says ‘was sleeping’ when Mayra was shot dead

    Suspect says ‘was sleeping’ when Mayra was shot dead

    The main suspect in the murder of a Pakistan-origin British woman in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) neighbourhood earlier this month, appeared before the police on Monday to record his statement.

    In his statement, Saad Ameer Butt, one of the two suspects, said he was sleeping at his house the night Mayra Zulfiqar was shot dead.

    He said he did not kill Mayra and that the deceased was a friend. “I never attempted to kidnap her”, he told the investigation team.

    He further informed the team that he had even discussed the matter with an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) when Mayra was alive. She had accused him of trying to kidnap her.

    24-year-old girl, Mayra Zulfiqar, was found dead in Lahore on May 3. She had been threatened by two men who both wanted to marry her.

    Zahir Jadoon and Saad Butt were two of the four accused of being behind the murder in the first information report (FIR) filed by Mohammad Nazeer, a relative of Zulfiqar.

  • WHO study shows long working hours are a killer

    WHO study shows long working hours are a killer

    Working long hours is killing hundreds of thousands of people a year in a worsening trend that may speed up further due to the current pandemic, the World Health Organisation said on Monday.

    In the first global study of the loss of life linked with longer working hours, the paper in the journal Environment International showed that 745,000 people died from a stroke and heart disease associated with long working hours in 2016. That was an increase of nearly 30% from 2000.

    “Working 55 hours or more per week is a serious health hazard,” said Maria Neira, director of the WHO’s Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health.

    “What we want to do with this information is promote more action [and] more protection of workers,” she said.

    According to details, the joint study done by the WHO and the International Labour Organisation showed that most victims (72%) were men and were middle-aged or older.

    Read more – People who use social media for news more susceptible to rumours: study

    It also showed that people living in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific region, a WHO-defined region including China, Japan and Australia were the most affected.

    Overall, the study collecting data from 194 countries revealed that working 55 hours or more a week is associated with a 35% higher risk of stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from ischemic heart disease compared with a 35-40 hour working week.

    The study covered the years from 2000 to 2016 so did not include the COVID-19 pandemic but WHO officials said the surge in remote working and the global economic slowdown resulting from the coronavirus emergency may have increased the risks.

    “The pandemic is accelerating developments that could feed the trend towards increased working time,” the WHO said, estimating that at least 9% of people work long hours.