Author: newsdesk

  • State-run PTV uses VPN to post about ‘un-Islamic’ VPNs on X

    State-run PTV uses VPN to post about ‘un-Islamic’ VPNs on X

    With the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) terming the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) “un-Islamic”, state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) has reported all about it on X, formerly Twitter, which remains inaccessible in the country without VPN.

    As per the details, the CII on Friday declared the use of VPNs as “un-Islamic”, emphasising the need to block access to immoral or blasphemous content on the internet.

    CII Chairman Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi, in a statement, said the federal government had the prerogative to curb evil and prevent access to it, declaring that adopting measures to prevent or restrict access to immoral and offensive content was in accordance with the Shariah.

    The development came hours after the Ministry of Interior (MoI) penned a letter to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block illegal VPNs, highlighting increasing risks to national security and public morality.

    Amid criticism against the ruling by netizens and religious scholars, including Maulana Tariq Jameel, state-run PTV also reported on the CII decision.

    It went on to post about the development on X, the micro-blogging website that remains inaccessible to Pakistanis without a VPN since before the February 8 general elections due to compliance issues. 

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    “[The] Council of Islamic Ideology has declared the use of VPN in violation of Shariah,” PTV said in a post that went viral soon after.

    Earlier, CII chief Dr Naeemi had also said that VPNs, while technically a tool for security and privacy, were often misused to access forbidden content. 

    These included obscene websites, platforms spreading misinformation, or those fostering anarchy within society, he said, adding that VPNs were also used for online theft and fraud, making it difficult to trace cybercriminals.

    The CII chief said that under Islamic principles, the permissibility of any act depended on its intent and method of use. He said using VPNs for unlawful purposes directly violated both Islamic and societal laws. Furthermore, he added, Muslims were obligated to respect state laws, provided they did not contradict Islamic principles.

    He warned that bypassing restrictions on blocked websites not only violated national laws but also went against Islamic ethical principles.

    Meanwhile, the MoI stated in its letter that VPNs were “increasingly being exploited by terrorists” to facilitate violent activities and financial transactions in Pakistan. “Off late, an alarming fact has been identified, wherein VPNs are used by terrorists to obscure and conceal their communications,” it said in a statement.

    Additionally, the ministry added, unregulated VPNs were also being used for discreetly accessing pornographic and blasphemous content.

  • Rohit Sharma has become a father again

    Rohit Sharma has become a father again

    Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma and his wife Ritika Sajdeh have welcomed their first son on the intervening night of Friday, November 15 and 16.

    Following his son’s birth, Sharma could not leave for Australia with the Indian team for a Test series.

    This is the second child born to captain Rohit and Ritika. The couple are parents to six-year-old daughter Sameera.

  • Four-year-old crushed under metro bus in Rawalpindi

    Four-year-old crushed under metro bus in Rawalpindi

    A metro bus crushed a four-year-old child as he was getting off with his mother at Liaquat Bagh metro station in Rawalpindi.


    Various footage of the incident has emerged online. In one of them, it can be seen that the body was covered with a sheet, surrounded by people and a bus parked on the side.

     


    Journalist Shabbir Dar posted a video made from inside the bus where the parents of the child were seen shouting and crying in panic while other passengers were trying to console them.


    Geo News reported that the four-year-old child fell on the track while getting off the metro bus. He was accompanied by his mother and was crushed under the tyre of the metro bus. The child died on the spot.


    The police said that the child who died in the incident at Liaquat Bagh metro bus station was identified as Rehan, a resident of the Amrapura area of Rawalpindi.


    The police stated that the child was getting off the bus and holding his mother’s finger when the bus stopped at Liaquat Bagh station, and he instantly fell on the metro track.
     
    However, at the same time, the bus driver started the bus, and as a result, the child was crushed to death by the big bus tyre.


    The driver of the metro bus, as well as the other officials of the metro bus administration, fled the premises immediately after the incident, according to the police.


    The incident happened in the jurisdiction of Waris Khan police station of Rawalpindi. A police team reached the accident site and started an investigation.

    Previously, in 2017, a 19-year-old student was crushed to death after the bus rammed into a near side pole. Following her death, massive protests broke out in the area by fellow students. 

  • YouTuber Jake Paul defeats Mike Tyson in boxing match

    YouTuber Jake Paul defeats Mike Tyson in boxing match

    YouTuber Jake Paul defeated former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in an international boxing match on Friday night.

    All three judges declared Jake Paul the winner on points in an eight-round match in Texas.

    The 27-year-old Paul is also an American actor.

    The 58-year-old Mike Tyson, on the other hand, is known as one of the “greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.” However, he appeared a bit sluggish in this match.

    The age difference was clearly evident. Tyson fought hard in the first two rounds, but in the end, Jake Paul defeated him.

    Earlier, this fight was scheduled for July this year, but it was postponed due to Tyson’s health issues.

    Tyson retired from boxing in 2005 after losing to Kevin McBride.

    Mike Tyson slaps Jake Paul


    Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson slapped opponent Jake Paul as the two men faced off for the final time on Thursday ahead of their controversial Netflix-backed bout.

    Tyson, 58, hit Paul flush on the cheek with his right hand following the formal weigh-in for Friday’s fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.


    A scrum of security swiftly intervened to separate the two fighters following the incident before Tyson was ushered away.

    Tyson, who weighed in at 228.4 pounds after stepping onto the scales wearing only a pair of Versace briefs, barely spoke before leaving the stage.

    “Talking’s over,” Tyson said before making his exit with members of his entourage.

    Paul, the 27-year-old Youtuber-turned-boxer, insisted he had not been hurt by Tyson’s open-handed slap, which drew gasps from the audience.


    “I didn’t even feel it — he’s angry. He’s an angry little elf…cute slap buddy,” said Paul, who weighed in at 227.2 pounds.

    Paul concluded his remarks with an expletive-laden pledge to knock Tyson out before roaring theatrically into a microphone: “He must die.”


    Tyson is reportedly being paid $20 million for Friday’s officially sanctioned about in Texas, which will be comprised of eight two-minute rounds.

    The contest, being streamed live on Netflix, has divided opinion across the boxing world, with many prominent figures decrying the prospect of Tyson lacing up his gloves nearly 40 years after his professional debut and 19 years after his last officially sanctioned fight.

  • Weather update for the second T20 between Pakistan and Australia

    Weather update for the second T20 between Pakistan and Australia

    The second T20 match between Pakistan and Australia is scheduled to be played today (Saturday) at 1 pm Pakistani time in Sydeny, but there is bad news for cricket fans. 

    The second T20 match is also likely to be affected by rain. 

    According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, four to six per cent rainfall was predicted during the crucial match of the series to be played in Sydney. Chances of rain in the morning hours are up to 30 per cent.

    Scattered clouds will continue to linger throughout the day in Sydney, while wind speeds of upto 31 kilometres per hour are exoected. Humidity is likely to be between 76 and 83 per cent.

    Probable change in Pakistan’s squad:

    The Pakistan cricket team is likely to drop a fast bowler and include a young spinner in the second T20 match against Australia.

    The second match of the T20 series between Pakistan and Australia will be played in Sydney today (Saturday) at 1 pm Pakistani time.

    The Sydney pitch is conducive to spin, for which Sufyan Muqeem or Arafat Minhas is likely to be included in the national team, while Naseem Shah can be dropped.

    In the first T20, Naseem Shah took only one wicket for 37 runs in two overs.

    Both teams have not faced each other at the Sydney Cricket Ground since 2019 when the match was washed out due to rain, while the Green Shirts have not won a T20 match against the Kangaroos at home.

    The first match was delayed due to rain. Later, the game resumed with seven overs for each team. Australia defeated Pakistan by 29 runs. Chasing 94 runs, the Green Shirts scored 64 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. 

    Glenn Maxwell was declared the man of the match for playing an aggressive innings of 43 runs on 19 balls.

  • Pakistani fan gives gifts worth crores to Mika Singh

    Pakistani fan gives gifts worth crores to Mika Singh

    A Pakistan fan has given gifts worth crores to Bollywood singer Mika Singh during a concert in the US.

    In a video shared on Instagram, Mika Singh can be seen receiving the gifts on stage.

    According to media reports, when Mika Singh was performing on stage, a Pakistani fan caught the singer’s attention by waving a chain from the crowd. After that, the fan came to Mika towards the stage and presented gifts. He put a gold chain around Mika’s neck, gave him an expensive watch and diamond rings.

    The total value of the gifts is said to be around 30 million Indian rupees, which is around 10 crore Pakistani rupees.

    Mika Singh appreciated the fan and shared the video on Instagram. He added heart emojis and captioned the video, “My brother, thank you for this beautiful gift.” 

    Social media users were abuzz with the fan’s generous gesture. 

    Mika Singh has sung many famous Bollywood songs including Aaj Ki Party and Chinta Ta Ta Chitta Chitta.

  • Pakistan will make one change in second T20 against Australia.

    Pakistan will make one change in second T20 against Australia.

    The Pakistan cricket team is likely to drop a fast bowler and include a young spinner in the second T20 match against Australia.

    The second match of the T20 series between Pakistan and Australia will be played in Sydney today (Saturday) at 1 pm Pakistani time.

    The Sydney pitch is conducive to spin, for which Sufyan Muqeem or Arafat Minhas is likely to be included in the national team, while Naseem Shah can be dropped.

    In the first T20, Naseem Shah took only one wicket for 37 runs in two overs.

    Both teams have not faced each other at the Sydney Cricket Ground since 2019 when the match was washed out due to rain, while the Green Shirts have not won a T20 match against the Kangaroos at home.

    The first match was delayed due to rain. Later, the game resumed with seven overs for each team. Australia defeated Pakistan by 29 runs. Chasing 94 runs, the Green Shirts scored 64 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. 

    Glenn Maxwell was declared the man of the match for playing an aggressive innings of 43 runs on 19 balls.

  • ‘I don’t wash hands’: Defence Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth’s 2019 comment goes viral

    ‘I don’t wash hands’: Defence Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth’s 2019 comment goes viral

    An old clip of Fox News host Pete Hegseth, who claimed he hadn’t washed his hands in a decade, resurfaced and went viral on social media after US President-elect Donald Trump nominated him for the Secretary of Defence last Tuesday.

    The clip from 2019 has been reshared on X, formerly known as Twitter, after the recent nomination, with one post reaching over 1.2 million people. 

    “I don’t really wash my hands ever and inoculate myself. Germs aren’t a real thing. I can’t see them; therefore, they are not real,” Hegseth was quoted as having said in the clip. His Fox and Friends co-host Jedediah Bila appeared shocked, saying: “Someone, help me!” Hegseth later posted on Twitter that the comment was a joke. 

    The renowned host previously served in Afghanistan and Iraq, receiving the Combat Infantryman Badge. During his time with Fox News, he developed a friendship with Trump, who has made regular appearances on Hegseth’s show on the weekends.

    Trump announced Hegseth’s selection as the Secretary of Defence in a social media post on Tuesday evening. “Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First,” the president-elect said.

    On the one hand, Hegseth’s nomination received a mixed reaction from those in the military and the Republican Party, but on the other social media users used the viral clip to doubt that he isn’t qualified to run such a complex government department.

    According to an X user, “Why is he not nominated for Health Secretary?” Another said, “I just hope the Generals at the Pentagon have someone to talk to tonight.”

    However, some said the host was clearly joking in a clip that was nearly six years ago.

  • YouTube introduces new income stream for creators

    YouTube introduces new income stream for creators

    YouTube has introduced a new source of income for creators.

    As per the details, YouTube is introducing a new feature called Jewels for creators, which will allow them to generate revenue through vertical live streams.

    Jewels are a digital currency that you can send as a ‘gift’ to your favourite creators. The option to send this gift will appear on live streams, much like Facebook and other interactive live streaming platforms.

    It is also similar to TikTok’s Live Gift feature, in which users buy coins and send them as gifts.

    In a statement, YouTube said that when viewers send gifts using Jewels, creators will receive rubies, one ruby ​​will be worth one US cent and 100 rubies will be equivalent to one dollar.

    For the next 3 months, eligible creators will also be able to earn a 50% bonus on the revenue generated from Jewels.

    Creators will be able to receive this gift only when they do a vertical live stream on YouTube, and users will only be able to send Jewels through the mobile app.

    This feature is currently being introduced for users in the US, but it is hoped that it will also be introduced in other countries soon.

    Only creators who are part of the YouTube Partners Program are eligible for this new feature.

  • ICC stops Pakistan from displaying Champions Trophy in Kashmir over Indian reservations

    ICC stops Pakistan from displaying Champions Trophy in Kashmir over Indian reservations

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has stopped Pakistan from taking the Champions Trophy to Kashmir over objections by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

    As per the details, PCB had announced the schedule for taking the Champions Trophy 2025 trophy to Skardu, Hunza and Muzaffarabad. The same had also been approved by the ICC.

    However, the Indian cricket board objected to the decision, prompting the cricket watchdog to postpone the tour and inform the PCB that the schedule for said cities was being changed.

    The trophy will initially be on display in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad during the tour.

    On Thursday, ICC brought the Champions Trophy event trophy from Dubai to Islamabad.

    This trophy tour is scheduled to start on Saturday and will continue till November 24.

    India has refused to send its cricket team to play Champions Trophy in Pakistan, whereas the PCB is firmly committed to its stance of not accepting hybrid model for the event.