Author: newsdesk

  • Microsoft to buy TikTok before September 15

    On Sunday, Microsoft said they are “prepared to explore a purchase of TikTok in the United States”.

    This is for the first time that Microsoft has confirmed they are in talks with ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, for the acquisition of the video-sharing platform.

    Microsoft has provided notice of their intent to purchase TikTok service in the countries like the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, which would result in Microsoft owning and operating TikTok services in these markets.

    It is not clear how Microsoft would divide market territories from other areas where TikTok operates, like Europe and Africa.

    The blog post describes the discussions as “preliminary” but addresses privacy concerns, it said the company would “ensure that all private data of TikTok’s American users are transferred to and remains in the United States.

    “To the extent that any such data is currently stored or backed-up outside the United States,” the post continues, “Microsoft would ensure that this data is deleted from servers outside the country after it is transferred.”

    The recent development came after a conversation between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and President Donald Trump.

    “Microsoft fully appreciates the importance of addressing the President’s concerns. It is committed to acquiring TikTok after the complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States, including the United States Treasury,” says Microsoft.

    The statement further says, “Microsoft wants to acquire TikTok in a matter of weeks, probably before September 15, 2020.”

    Microsoft will not purchase the platform entirely on its own investment but will ask investors to participate in the purchase of the platform.

  • Turkey with Pakistan on Kashmir: president

    Turkey with Pakistan on Kashmir: president

    President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has assured Turkey’s support for Pakistan’s stance on the Kashmir dispute, President Dr Arif Alvi has said.

    According to a statement by the President’s Office, the two counterparts held a telephonic conversation in which they “exchanged Eidul Azha greetings” besides discussing the Kashmir issue and the coronavirus pandemic.

    President Alvi said that occupation regimes were continuing their “extreme repression” in Palestine and Indian occupied Kashmir even during the coronavirus pandemic.

    “[The] Turkish president assured that his country would continue to support Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir as both brotherly countries have similar goals.”

    Erdogan also invited Alvi to visit Turkey after the end of the pandemic.

    While congratulating Erdogan on the reopening of Istanbul’s historical Hagia Sophia as a mosque after nearly nine decades, President Alvi “reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast support to Turkey on its legitimate interests and assured that Pakistan will continue its policy to provide Turkey with all possible support”.

    The Turkish leader also called Prime Minister Imran Khan and the two leaders shared their views on a range of issues.

    The prime minister too felicitated Erdogan on reopening of the Hagia Sophia for prayers and told him that “millions of Pakistanis watched it live on television”, according to a tweet by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

    During their conversation, Prime Minister Imran recalled Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan for the sixth session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) in February and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to “further fortify bilateral cooperation” in all areas.

    “Pakistan deeply appreciates Turkey’s steadfast support for the just cause of Kashmir, which President Erdogan reaffirmed during his address to the joint session of parliament in February 2020,” the PMO said.

    Erdogan’s contact with the Pakistani leadership comes days before the world marks one year since India revoked the semi-autonomous status of occupied Kashmir and split it into two federal territories, causing further determination in New Delhi’s ties with Islamabad.

  • Pakistani family makes foundation honouring daughter killed in US shooting

    Pakistani family makes foundation honouring daughter killed in US shooting

    The parents of Sabika Sheikh, an exchange student from Pakistan who was killed in a fatal mass shooting in Texas two years ago, have created a foundation to honour her by giving university scholarships to low-income Pakistani women, according to a report in The Houston Chronicle.

    17-year-old Sabika was among the 10 people murdered in the attack at Santa Fe High School near Houston, Texas. Thirteen others were wounded.

    “I’m always worried that we might forget (Sabika),” Farah Naz, the mother, told The Houston Chronicle during a Zoom interview with the family. “But starting this foundation I know this is impossible. I know if I continue working with the foundation, she will always be with me.”

    The foundation is a partnership between the Sheikh family and several nonprofit organisations. ACIE, the American Institute for Foreign Study and the International Education and Resource Network are providing a seed grant of $300,000 to establish the foundation.

    Naz, Sabika’s mother, said that ACIE representatives approached the family prior to the coronavirus pandemic with the idea of honouring Sabika’s legacy through an educational foundation. While the pandemic presented some obstacles in getting the organisation off the ground, in part because the academic year in Pakistan was postponed, the hope is that the foundation will be prepared to give out scholarships whenever Pakistani schools reopen.

    The Sheikh family said the scope of the foundation will target scholarships for universities in Pakistan for now, but will eventually expand to offering exchange opportunities for American schools “so that the connection and ties” with the United States continue, said Sania Sheikh, Sabika’s sister.

    The new foundation will be led by a board of directors including representatives from the Sheikh family as well as four independent directors selected by the family in consultation with the partnering organisations. 

  • ‘Vision-S’: Sony surprises consumers with electric concept car

    Many tech companies have been trying to diversify their portfolio but for Sony to launch a futuristic self-driving electric (E)-car is unprecedented.

    At Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2020 in Las Vegas, Sony surprised the world by showcasing their Vision-S sedan car, which is a fully electric concept car.

    The Vision-S features 33 different sensors inside and outside of the car, multiple widescreen displays, 360 audio, and always-on connectivity, with other items installed after collaboration with companies like BlackBerry and Bosch.

    The Vision-S has 200 kilowatts (kW) dual electric motors connected with all wheels which give an impressive acceleration of 0-62 miles per hour (mph) in 4.8 seconds, along with a top speed of 149 mph, which is 239 in kilometres per hour (kph).

    The interior is very futuristic as one might expect. The stand-out feature is a panoramic touchscreen dashboard linked to Sony’s 360 Reality Audio that gives you a truly immersive experience while driving.

    There have been reports suggesting that due to the hype surrounding the new concept car, Sony is now going to work on an actual car that we can expect to see on the roads in less than six month.

    Check out Sony’s official reveal of the Vision-S sedan

  • It’s a boy for Hamza Ali Abbasi, Naimal Khawar

    It’s a boy for Hamza Ali Abbasi, Naimal Khawar

    Hamza Ali Abbasi and Naimal Khawar have become parents to a baby boy!

    The actor and his wife, who are currently residing in Dallas, Texas as Hamza studies religion at the Ghamidi Center of Islamic Learning, announced the happy news on social media and shared that they have named their newborn Muhammad Mustafa Abbasi.

    Naimal also shared a glimpse of her baby and revealed that he was born on July 30.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDZvotsjDlk/

    Later, Hamza posted a picture of his little one on Instagram.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDbAdR3AWAT/

    Hamza and Naimal tied the knot on August 25, 2019 in a simple and intimate ceremony with only their closest friends and family present.

    Read more – ‘Feel truly blessed’: Hamza Ali Abbasi on his wedding

    In November 2019, Hamza had announced that he was quitting acting to focus on his spiritual journey.

    “I had this divine revelation some time back, that all that I am doing in this world will end the moment I die,” Hamza had said in a video message, adding that death is inevitable.

    “All these trophies, all these accolades will not bring me any good on the day of judgment when I meet my Maker. I have decided that I want to leave everything that might be a hurdle when it comes to making my matters easier on the day of Judgment.”

    Hamza later clarified that he will not be going quitting but will instead focus on making videos to spread the message of Islam and inspire others to undertake this spiritual journey.

  • Quiz – Which Special Assistant to Prime Minister are you?

    Quiz – Which Special Assistant to Prime Minister are you?

    Edit quiz
  • PIA cabin crew to be tested for alcohol consumption after smoking in the cockpit

    PIA cabin crew to be tested for alcohol consumption after smoking in the cockpit

    After the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) noticed smoking in the cockpit and the cabin, they issued directives that made it mandatory that the cabin crew of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) take the breathalyser test for alcohol consumption. They also directed that the non-smoking rule on planes be followed in the whole plane.

    RELATED: New heights of friendship: Turkish Airlines to manage Pakistan’s fruit, vegetable exports after PIA ban

    In the notice, which was issued by the PIA‘s medical division and comes into immediate effect, all cabin crew must undergo medical check-ups before boarding flights.

    RELATED: Six-star PIA downgraded to one star on fake licences issue

    The breathalyser test checks for how much alcohol a person has in their blood and based on the results, the medical division will decide whether they can board the flight. The CAA had already made it mandatory that pilots and cockpit crew be tested for alcohol levels, but now the air hosts will be tested as well.

  • Saba Qamar and Bilal Saeed just said ‘Qubool Hai’

    Saba Qamar and Bilal Saeed just said ‘Qubool Hai’

    Saba Qamar and Bilal Saeed have left fans confused with their latest post.

    Sharing a picture of themselves at Wazir Khan Masjid, Lahore, Saba and Bilal wrote, “Qubool Hai” in the caption without going into further details.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDUchNqBSZ2/

    Read more – Saba Qamar reveals why she hasn’t gotten married yet

    Under their posts, confused fans expressed their shock, while others sent them best wishes.

    However, some followers speculated that the picture is from Saba and Bilal’s upcoming music video. The award-winning singer was earlier spotted at Saba’s house where he treated those present to a live performance. Saba’s manager Meshal Cheema had shared a video of Bilal singing with the caption ‘Any idea what’s cooking?’ hinting that the two are working together on a project.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_8e9CBpWag/

    Moreso, a few hours before Saba posted the picture of herself and Bilal, Meshal shared a picture of the actor on her Instagram stories, saying “News has it that you’re directing a new music video releasing soon and also acting in it.”

    While Saba and Bilal might not have given it away, Meshal certainly did. But we have to admit, when we first saw Saba’s post, we almost fell off the chair. Given the rate at which celebrity weddings are happening, this wouldn’t have been entirely unbelievable.

    Earlier in the day, Saba celebrated 200k subscribers on YouTube while Bilal announced that he has sent clothing brand So Kamal a legal notice for copyright infringement and using his song Baari without permission.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDUSLVuhfw1/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDTps4DJ8dQ/
  • KP govt to provide Rs77m relief package to tourism industry

    KP govt to provide Rs77m relief package to tourism industry

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government will not charge registration and licences fees in order to give a relief package of Rs77 million to the tourism industry.

    According to reports, the KP Tourism Department has waived off registration fees for hotels and restaurants and license fees for travel agencies and tour operators for one year.

    The decision is made due to the adverse economic impact of coronavirus on KP’s tourism industry.

    The statement was issued by the KP Tourism Department after the decision was taken during a meeting of the provincial cabinet on July 21.

    Businesses, hotels and restaurants that are not registered or they are new in the industry will also be exempted from paying license fees for one year.

    Due to the coronavirus and ban on tourism has caused lose of Rs 12 billion to tourism industry.

    For now, the KP government has banned tourist activities in the province until further notice. The decision has been taken in light of the instructions of the Department of Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) to contain the spread of coronavirus.

    Similarly, restaurants, rest houses and other tourist spots will also remain closed while seminars, conferences, sports and tourism activities in hotels will also be banned.

    The provincial government has handed over 168 rest houses in KP to the Tourism Department intending to promote tourism in the province.

    Out of the 168 rest houses, 55 were previously under the Communication and Works Department, 20 were under the Irrigation Department, 21 were under the local government, two were under Police and 70 were under the Forest Department.

    The orders for the restoration of these rest houses were issued by the provincial government and after conducting a survey, all the rest houses have now been handed over to the Tourism and Sports Department.

  • Cheating husbands, badass women & girl power: ‘Churails’ promises to be ‘witchy’ delight

    Cheating husbands, badass women & girl power: ‘Churails’ promises to be ‘witchy’ delight

    The trailer of Cake director Asim Abbasi’s original web series Churails, featuring Sarwat Gilani, Nimra Bucha, Mehar Bano and Yasra Rizvi, has finally dropped and it is more than what we could have ever wished for. The trailer promises lots of action, drama and badass women taking on misogyny head-on. It is unlike anything Pakistan has ever seen before.

    Churails “is the story of a lawyer(Gilani), wedding planner(Rizvi), convict (Bucha) and boxer (Meharbano), who come together to form a secret detective agency with the purpose to find and expose unfaithful husbands amongst Karachi’s elite, operating under the guise of a fashion store named ‘Halal Designs’. As their operations expand, they come to be saviours of abused, harassed and mistreated women.”

    According to a press release, the show “aims to challenge the hypocrisy of patriarchal societies that vanquish women and their rights.”

    “The gripping and fast-paced storyline covers myriad of issues such as child abuse, sexism, the domination of class and race and aims to challenge the hypocrisy of patriarchal societies that vanquish women and their rights,” it adds.

    The makers of the show define churails as “she who takes ownership of her life and is unapologetic of her being. She who breaks the glass ceiling and every prejudice that society has created against women.”

    “She who is strong, she who is fierce, she stands for what she believes in… she is a ‘churail’.”

    Director Asim Abbasi, while speaking about the project said that the story is about “strong women, embarking on a journey of self-discovery, empowerment and sisterhood.”

    The 10-episode series is expected to stream from August 11 on ZEE5 Global’s Zindagi channel. Omair Rana, Adnan Malik, Sania Saeed and Hina Bayat are also part of the ensemble cast.

    The trailer has already made noise and has received praise from both sides of the border.

    Watch the trailer below: