Kamala Khan is all set to be a part of Marvel’s blockbuster gaming roster joining superheroes like Iron Man, Hulk and Captain America. Khan is a Muslim-American teenager of Pakistani heritage, who has shape-shifting abilities.
According to BBC, Marvel’s Avengers are assembling again, not for a movie, but for a blockbuster video game. The game’s publisher, Square Enix announced that Marvel Avengers would include Kamala Khan as one of its main playable characters and make her central to the plot.
Kamala Khan was co-created by Marvel editor and director Sana Amanat in 2014. Sana Amanat is a Muslim-American herself, she wanted to create a character young girls of similar background could identify with and look up to.
Sana Amanat
Maria Afsar, a 25 years old gamer said, “When I saw the announcement she is going to be in the game and of the main characters, I just thought I’ve literally been waiting for something like this for my whole life. I saw nothing like this when I was young.”
Kamala Khan will be featured as Ms Marvel Moniker. Ms Marvel Moniker has been used by several white characters in Marvel comic books since 1976, including Sharon Ventura and Dr Karlo Sofen.
In 2014, readers were introduced to Kamala Khan, a 16-years-old Pakistani-American growing up in Jersey City. She has shapeshifting abilities and she happens to be a fan-girl of the Avengers.
Making history along the way, she became the Marvel’s first Muslims character to lead her own comic books series.
Airlift, app-based urban mass transit startup that allows consumers to books rides on fixed-rate, announced a new venture in partnership with existing investors that lead their total investment to USD 24.1m. At the time when the risk for global recession is high, Airlift marks one of the largest capital investments in the region.
Airlift paused its transit operations due to the threat of Covid-19. But they have introduced Airlift Grocer, an offshoot of the same company, that enables the delivery of all household essentials within 45 minutes.
Consumers in Lahore can now order groceries and other household essentials through their mobile apps via the Google PlayStore, the Apple App Store or using their website via www.airliftgrocer.com.
Airlift wants to create a positive impact in the region by establishing a decentralized logistics platform. Local and foreign companies invested in Airlift to support their vision and improve the ecosystem of the startups in Pakistan.
Quiet Capital and First Round Capital based in San Francisco, TrueSight Ventures (London, RT Ventures (London), Shorooq Partners (Abu Dhabi), and ACE Capital (Taiwan) are the foreign venture capital (VC) companies that participated in recent series A-1 financing round.
Fatima Gobi Ventures (Pakistan) and Indus Valley Capital (Pakistan) are the local investors who continued their support for Airlift in financing.
Airlift is serving the community in new and innovative ways, and they are also committed to supporting the government income substitution program by creating new employment opportunities for riders on their platform.
With work from home becoming the new normal, parents across the globe now have a double job: they have to balance their work and look after their kids, all at the same time.
A working parent, Dr Clare Wenham was recently live on BBC from home discussing the lockdown situation in England and how staying indoors is a learning process for locals amid the outbreak of the virus.
That’s when her daughter Scarlett interrupted the interview and started pestering her mother to help her choose the best shelf to display her art.
BBC presenter Christian Fraser stepped in and asked Dr Clare: “What’s your daughter called?”
Wenham replied, “Her name is Scarlett.”
Fraser told Scarlett that her art looked better on the lower shelf. In response, Scarlett asked her mother: “Mummy, what’s his name?” to which Fraser politely said, “My name is Christian.”
Thank you, Christian Fraser, for treating this with the levity it deserved. Well done to Dr Wenham for persevering! And also to Scarlet for a memorable TV debut!
Amid controversies surrounding the licences of several Pakistani pilots, which have also led to the suspension of Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) authorisation to operate in European Union (EU) member states and the United Kingdom (UK), a newspaper clipping pertaining to the launch of army’s Askari Airline has left Twitterati in doubts.
“Preparations for the launch of Askari Airline completed; licence issued,” read the undated Urdu newspaper clipping making the rounds on the internet.
The undated Urdu newspaper clipping making the rounds on the internet
It added that “the chief of army staff (COAS) would inaugurate the project that was in its final stages owing to the efforts of the Army Welfare Trust (AWT)” — Pakistani conglomerate also known as Askari Group of Companies — and mentioned details of the airline’s fleet.
The clipping drew the ire of a majority of netizens who attempted to draw a link between the downfall of the national carrier and the alleged impending launch of Askari Airline, compelling The Current to look into the claims.
According to prominent aviation journalist Tahir Imran, Askari Airline was given approval a few years ago, which suggests that the clipping is not a recent one.
Askari airline was given approval few years ago. Along with few other operators. For record Shaheen foundation failed to run Shaheen air, sold it to ex Air Force guy whose children eventually ran it down to the ground. Note: This is not recent news item. pic.twitter.com/DxM9qDkyow
When contacted, Imran said that Askari Airline was among six new airlines that had applied to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for regular public transport (RPT) licences in 2018.
“These airlines are Liberty Air owned by Chaudhry Munir and Mian Amir, Go Green Airways owned by Elahi Group, Askari Air owned by AWT, United Airways Pakistan Limited owned by Adnan Tabani, AirSial owned by the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Afeef Zara Airways owned by Rashid Siddiqui,” he said, adding that even though they had been granted licences, no other airline except AirSial was for now in a position to launch flight operations.
“But even AirSial faces an uncertain future as its launch scheduled for May 2020 has indefinitely been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic among other reasons. It might see the light of day by 2020’s end… but everything depends on how the current situation pans out.”
To a question regarding the fate of Askari Airline, Imran said that no appointments in this regard had so far been reported, let alone any progress towards its launch. “Askari, as well as other upcoming airlines except AirSial, lack the required infrastructure for now and their launch within the ongoing year doesn’t seem possible.”
ASKARI AVIATION SERVICES:
Speaking of Askari Aviation Services (AAS), he said it was run by AWT and its activities included domestic and international travel as well as transportation by Askari Charter Services (ACS), ground handling services at Islamabad airport by Askari Airport Services (AAPS), domestic and international air travel ticketing by Askari Travel & Tour (AT&T), ground, cabin and flying training of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft by Askari Flying Academy (AFA) beside aircraft and helicopter maintenance and operation services through Askari Aviation (Pvt) Ltd (AAL).
“In addition to its integral fleet of helicopter and aircraft, AAS also enjoys the backing of Pakistan Army Aviation and is providing international charter services to the army for its United Nations (UN) peacekeeping troops deployed around the world,” he said.
Élan’s Khadijah Shah seems to have found herself in controversy yet again. A video of a man claiming to be imprisoned by the designer in her warehouse since the past six months is doing the rounds on social media.
According to the man in the video, Shah, the founder and Creative Director of Pakistan’s leading luxury clothing brand, has not paid the worker for two months and has refused to let him leave the warehouse where business operations take place. The man added that Shah along with her associate Rehan Bashir has exploited 144 other labourers along with him and has refused to let them leave the warehouse.
“I worked for their Élan Lawn 2020 project. They asked to bring in extra labour to which I obliged. However, when I asked for payment, my staff and I were imprisoned here. We are being humiliated every day,” he said.
Soon after the allegations surfaced, Khadijah responded to them on Instagram saying that the man had stolen from her and was now seeking revenge for being terminated.
Khadija said that the man in the video was in the packing department from where he had stolen over 7000 pieces of Élan lawn.
The designer added that the matter came to light when a huge amount of inventory was missing and customers began to file complaints for missing pieces. She said they had to halt dispatches due to incomplete orders. Shah added that an FIR has also been registered against the former employee and that he has asked her for forgiveness.
Shah further said that she is not one of those who put people in dungeons and torture them.
Later, the designer also cracked a joke on the situation, saying “After I torture people in dungeons with Rehan Bashir, we eat lots of dessert.”
Shah is one of Pakistan’s most renowned designers. Her brand Élan had also designed an outfit for Kate Middleton when she came to Pakistan.
Juicy, pulpy and tasty, lychees are one of summer’s most-loved fruits. From improving the immunity to aiding weight loss, lychees have many health benefits.
Here are some of the benefits of the fruit:
Improves immunity
Lychees are rich in vitamins that stimulate the activity of white blood cells that defend the body against germs, viruses and other foreign materials. Lychees also have more than 100% of the daily requirement of ascorbic acid (natural water-soluble vitamin )that works exceptionally well for boosting your immunity.
Good for your skin
Lychee can help reduce signs of aging and blemishes. Vitamin E in lychees helps to heal sunburn that causes pain and irritation and helps keep the skin healthy and glowing.
Helps indigestion
Lychee has dietary fibres that help in the digestion process. It can be very beneficial for constipation and other tummy problems. It also stimulates gastric and digestive juices helping effective nutrient absorption.
Reduces inflammation
Lychees have anti-inflammatory properties. This helps is fighting flu and infections during the summer months.
Aids Weight Loss
Lychee is a great source of dietary fibre which plays an important role in weight loss. Lychee contains high water content and has reduced fat content which further makes it a perfect fruit for weight loss. It is also low on calories, making it a fulfilling snack.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is planning to privatise the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)-owned luxurious Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan, drawing the ire of opposition members and the general public for “attempting to sell an asset of the national carrier worth billions of dollars”.
The 19-storey hotel with 1,025 rooms plus allied facilities in New York City, with some of the suites being among the most luxurious available in Manhattan, is considered a valuable property that also carries cultural significance for Pakistan.
Standing on the corner of 45th Street and Madison Avenue, in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the hotel bears a quintessentially American name in honour of former United States (US) President Theodore Roosevelt, who had previously been the governor of New York State.
It has remained in news for the last several years for its proposed auction. However, the management of PIA always rejected such claims.
The said hotel was acquired by PIA Investment Limited on lease during the year 1979 with an option to purchase the property. PIA had purchased the hotel against $36.5 million against a demand of $59.5m by contesting a lawsuit against the owner in 1999. The Interstate Hotel and Resort is managing the Roosevelt Hotel since 1997.
According to a notification issued Monday — at a time when the federal government is reportedly at odds with the national carrier after Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan’s statements regarding PIA pilots having “dubious” licences –, the privatisation of the hotel was discussed in a meeting of the cabinet committee on privatisation on Wednesday.
The meeting was chaired by Adviser to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, stated the notification issued a day before the meeting.
It has, however, not been very well-received by the Twitterati.
The Roosevelt Hotel is on the chopping block today. Yesterday it was @Official_PIA. All being asset stripped to cannibalise and sell. After PIA no pvt airline will service GB, Balochistan, other low-traffic spots. No concept of public goods here, as no coherent world view in PTI. pic.twitter.com/NOIaMc0ZGc
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) July 1, 2020
This is what Imran Khan wants to do actually? Sell PIA’s assets worth billions of dollars. I would be very interested in finding out who would be making the bid to acquire the Roosevelt Hotel, New York pic.twitter.com/Rb73Zmtzio
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) July 1, 2020
Privatisation of The Roosevelt Hotel at this moment in time seems very inappropriate. The market value will have dropped significantly due to the corona virus and it would be seen as a very desperate sale. I’m sure there’s more to this in terms of who wishes to acquire the hotel. pic.twitter.com/H8MElrFt10
— Zayd Hussain Nawaz Sharif (@zayd280) July 1, 2020
Hundreds of people in occupied Kashmir staged protests on Wednesday, accusing government forces of killing an elderly man in front of his minor grandson during a gun battle with Kashmiri fighters, which also left a trooper dead.
The Kashmiri fighters opened fire from a mosque attic in the northern town of Sopore, setting off a battle with security forces, paramilitary police spokesperson Junaid Khan told AFP.
The family of Bashir Ahmed Khan alleged that he was dragged out of his car after the showdown and shot dead by paramilitary troopers.
His three-year-old grandson, who was travelling with him, was later pictured sitting on his chest.
“Locals said that he [Khan] was brought out of his car and shot dead by the forces,” Farooq Ahmed, a nephew of the deceased man told AFP.
“They told us that someone in uniform then put the child on his chest as he lay dead on the road and took photographs,” Farooq Ahmed said.
The photo of the child sat on the body of his dead grandfather was widely shared on social media.
Paramilitary spokesman Khan said the allegation was “baseless”. Police also denied the claims, saying legal action would be taken for “false reports and rumours”.
“There was no retaliation from the security forces,” Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar told reporters.
Hundreds assembled at the man’s funeral near the main city of Srinagar shouting, “We want freedom”.
Government forces have intensified counterinsurgency operations against Kashmiri fighters since a coronavirus lockdown was imposed in March.
Since January, at least 229 people have been killed during over 100 military operations across occupied Kashmir, including 32 civilians, 54 government forces and 143 fighters, according to the Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), a rights group.
Members of the Sikh community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have been distributing ration bags among families affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Speaking to Arab News, a Sikh pharmacist from Peshawar, Dr Jatinder Singh said, “We try not to publicise this since we only seek our reward from God and want to protect the identity and dignity of all beneficiaries.”
Singh said many Sikh business owners have donated big-heartedly to distribute the ration packs among 400 families.
“This is a community-driven welfare service which is a great source of satisfaction for us,” he added.
Before the emergence of COVID-19, Singh and his community also helped to arrange collective Iftar dinners for Muslims during Ramazan. Now, Muslim philanthropists have also started participating in the Sikh community’s ration initiative.
“We distribute ration packs among deserving families regardless of their caste and creed,” Singh said. “We hope that this endeavor will somewhat mitigate the negative economic impact on people’s lives caused by the pandemic.”
The team arrived in England on June 30, where they will play three Tests and as many Twenty20 internationals, starting in the first week of August. The players, who tested negative for COVID-19 and travelled to England included Azhar Ali (captain), Babar Azam (vice-captain), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Ahmad, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Musa Khan, Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Usman Shinwari, and Yasir Shah. Misbah-ul-Haq (head coach), Younis Khan (batting coach), Mushtaq Ahmed (spin bowling coach) and Waqar Younis also travelled with the team.
According to PCB, the squad will undergo a 14-day isolation period on arrival before continuing their preparations ahead of the first Test with two four-day warm-up matches.
Check out pictures from their training session below:
Babar Azam also shared pictures of himself at the practise and said that it felt great to be on the field again.
Great feeling to be on the cricket field again. I really missed it. Look forward to our historic series and praying that everyone gets back to their normal life soon. Keep shining and never give up. #RiseAndRisepic.twitter.com/MvTyuCFmx7
It is expected that the first Test will take place in Manchester in August but the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said the behind-closed-doors match schedule would be announced in “due course”.
