The Kerala High Court approved permission to a petitioner on Monday to travel to get “Meo-Persian biscuits” for three of his cats amid the strict coronavirus lockdown in India.
N Prakash who is an owner of three cats, had moved the court after he was denied to travel by police to get food for his pets.
According to the directives by the Kerala government, residents have to get a travel permit based on an affidavit for leaving their houses, even if they have to go to buy essential food items.
Prakash, stated in his petition, that “as a pure vegetarian, he could not cook non-vegetarian food in his house”. He said that he had applied for the travel pass online, but his application was rejected.
Upon hearing the appeal, the judge said that the petitioner could go to buy cat food on the basis of a self declaration, along with a court order.
He added that the court will pass a general order in this regard to cover situations like this.
In the past week, there has been a lot of debate over whether celebrities should be open about their charity efforts or not. While a lot of people were of the opinion that celebrities should keep it private, celebrities have opened up and said that the only reason they are sharing their efforts is because they want to inspire and motivate people to do the same.
Salman ‘Mani’ Sheikh and his wife Hira Mani are among those celebrities who have been collecting and distributing ration bags among the needy. They have kept their fans updated throughout for which they received immense backlash on social media. Later, Mani hit back at the criticism saying “As pop culture celebrities when we share posts of our material wealth – our show ratings, our wardrobe, our holidays – it is labelled as ‘trending’. However, when we try to use our fame to do some good, it is unfairly being labelled as ‘cheap publicity stunt’.”
Mani shared the process of how they started collecting donation bags and said that the only reason they shared it on Instagram was to create awareness and raise funds for their drive.
“We put up pictures on Instagram so whoever knew anyone deserving could contact us and refer that needy family. However, after a week we started running out of funds and appealed to others to join in. We also encouraged fans to start similar donations in their areas because our reach was limited,” he continued adding that they received a lot of donations and a lot of brands started contacting them.
Mani further said, “We didn’t put up pictures with the people who we were donating to, we didn’t show queues of deserving white-collar workers at our place. We don’t even go down to meet the people who come to our doorstep, so we don’t embarrass them and they don’t feel that we are doing it for publicity. And yet…we are disliked for it.”
“We [will] continue with our mission. Here’s the quote that keeps us going and will keep all those who are helping the ones in need, to keep at it no matter what,” he concluded.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-pBCBDpmGY/
In the accompanying video, Mani took viewers on a tour of the setup where the ration bags are being made. Mani said that each ration box can roughly last a week or two. He said that each box includes aata, milk, risk, pulses, soap and oil among other things.
Earlier, Hira had also addressed the same concerns.
“Main show off nahi ker rahi mere kia aukat bus ye picture laga kay app logaon ko bata rahi hun kay app sub bhe mere saath mill kay iska hissa bunien ya phir apni capacity main app khud se jo bhe ker saktay hain kerien please. Abhi madad kerien (I’m not showing off, I’m a nobody. The only reason I’m posting this picture is to encourage people to come together and help in whatever way they can),” the actor had written.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Wy-hyHxe8/
Meanwhile, some celebrities had appealed to their followers to keep the identity of those receiving the donations private.
Khudara imdad karty waqt picture ya video na bnayien kuch ayese loug hain jo majbori ki waja sey yeah madad hasil kar rahien hain ..logoon ki majbori ko publicity stunt na bnayien ..aur yeah waqt bari zalim cheez hey
A big thanks to all who provide ration to the needy. A humble request , please don’t make videos of people receiving it,as this makes them uncomfortable seeing themselves on social media .
With the damning investigation report on the recent sugar crisis making headlines and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Jahangir Khan Tareen being named as one of the people who allegedly benefited from the economic disaster, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, to whom Tareen has always been more than just a colleague, is feeling betrayed, The News has reported.
Earlier this year, following the shortage of wheat flour in the country and the subsequent price hike, sugar had also gone missing from the market. Taking notice of the situation, the premier had formed a committee to find out those responsible for the crises.
On Saturday, the inquiry report on sugar crisis had named PTI bigwig Tareen, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) Moonis Elahi and a relative of then minister for national food security Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar as the beneficiaries of the price hike.
On Sunday, PM Imran had said that he was waiting for the detailed forensic reports, slated to come out on April 25, before taking any action against those responsible and on Monday he had reshuffled the federal cabinet which saw Bakhtiar being replaced. Tareen was also removed from the Agriculture Task Force among other changes.
Soon after the reshuffle, reports claimed that the premier was “feeling betrayed by once his closest aide Tareen”, who, despite having been disqualified by the apex court, was given the informal role of deputy PM to help the PTI government deliver.
“Tareen was given immense power, informally, to reform the agriculture sector, his choice men were appointed in the cabinet as well as in the bureaucracy both in the Centre and Punjab. But, it all ended up not only in failures but caused major scandals of wheat and sugar,” the report said and further claimed that Tareen had “thoroughly disappointed Imran, who now thinks that he had bet on a wrong horse”.
The latest reshuffle in the cabinet and bureaucracy, these report said, was a clear message for all and sundry both within the PTI and in the government that Tareen was out and so was his influence. “With these changes, the PTI Jahangir Tareen group meets its end.”
It also said that what happened on Monday was not the climax and “a lot will happen after April 25 when the Sugar Commission will submit its report on how the sugar mafia operates”.
“There will be criminal proceedings, possible arrests and institutional actions by [the] FBR [Federal Board of Revenue], SECP [Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan] etc,” it added.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed has rebuked the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led federal government for its “insufficient” measures to contain the new coronavirus, declaring that “nothing is being done on ground”.
The top judge’s remarks came as COVID-19 infections in Pakistan crossed 3,500 with at least 52 deaths on Monday.
Hearing an appeal against the verdict announced by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the CJP directed the government to grant bail to low-risk under-trial prisoners (UTPs) during the pandemic.
At the outset of the hearing, he said that the government had closed the out-patient departments (OPDs) of all hospitals, leaving no place for patients to seek treatment at such a crucial time.
“Hospitals have been closed when we need them. Up till now, 10 hospitals with 1,000 beds each should have been made operational,” he said.
“Everyone is talking about funds, no one is doing anything. The public has been left at the mercy of God,” he remarked. The chief justice also criticised the government’s efforts to encourage people to stay indoors in order to curb the spread of the disease.
The attorney general (AG) said that the federal government is taking best possible measures to fight the deadly contagion. He further stated that another report, apprising about the situation in the country has also been submitted before the court.
The top judge said that Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari filed a reply that the Peshawar High Court has ordered the release of 3,200 prisoners.
The AG replied that no such verdict was given by the (PHC), adding that the human rights minister might be mistaken.
The chief justice also questioned the competence of State Minster for Health Dr Zafar Mirza, saying that he is just being given coverage on media on a daily basis.
The top court remarked that no one has come from the Defence Ministry. “The court needs to inquire about what the Defence Ministry is up to,” the SC remarked.
To this, the AG responded that no one from the ministry was summoned yet.
On Saturday, senior lawyer Khawaja Haris had urged the top court to reconsider its decision of revoking the IHC ruling. In a set of recommendations submitted to the apex court, Haris said that the IHC had announced the verdict in line with the law due to the ongoing crisis.
He had said that it is imperative that measures are taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved to intensive care after his coronavirus symptoms worsened.
“Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the Prime Minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital,” a spokesperson for No 10 Downing Street said in a statement.
“Since Sunday evening, the Prime Minister has been under the care of doctors at St Thomas’ Hospital, in London, after being admitted with persistent symptoms of coronavirus.
“The PM has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary.”
“The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication,” the spokesperson added.
On Monday, Boris Johnson tweeted that he had gone to the hospital last night, on the advice of my doctor.
“I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms. I’m in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe,” he had written.
I’d like to say thank you to all the brilliant NHS staff taking care of me and others in this difficult time. You are the best of Britain.
Stay safe everyone, and please remember to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.
The cabinet reshuffle and the results of the inquiry reports into the sugar and wheat shortage public has sparked frenzy in Islamabad which has highlighted rifts in ruling party.
At 5:15pm, PTI’s Dr Shahbaz Gill tweeted:
“Mr. Jahangir Khan Tareen has been removed as Chair of Task Force on Agriculture in light of findings of Sugar and Wheat Inquiry Report. Any further action may be taken after the final findings of the Inquiry Committee.”
Five minutes later at 5:20 pm, Tareen contradicted Dr Gill’s tweet:
On Saturday, Dr Gill had lauded PM Khan for fulfilling another promise by making the inquiry reports on sugar and wheat public.
انکوائری کمیٹی کی سفارش پر ایک انکوائری کمیشن بنا دیا ہے جو فرانزک آڈٹ کر رہا ہے۔ 25 اپریل تک یہ آڈٹ مکمل کر کے حکومت کو جمع کروائے گا۔ وزیراعظم عمران خان نے فیصلہ کیا ہے کہ اس کو بھی پبلک کیا جائے گا۔ کرونا کی آڑ میں اس رپورٹ کو دبایا جا سکتا تھالیکن یہ عمران خان کی حکومت ہے
Meanwhile, the PM’s Spokesperson Nadeem Afzal Chan on Monday said that the report was ‘leaked’. He said this on Hamid Mir’s talkshow Capital Talk.
Video below:
On the other hand, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan tweeted that Khusro Bakhtiar has not resigned while Mr Bakhtiar’s resignation from National Food Security and Research ministry is available on social media and with journalists.
Mr Bakhtiar has now been given the charge for the Ministry of Economic Affairs. He has replaced Hammad Azhar, who has been made the Federal Minister for Industries.
The Donkey King has made his comeback with a coronavirus anthem.
Mangu – the popular character from the animated movie Donkey King has sung a song ‘Darna Nahi, Larna Hai‘ which is the latest coronavirus anthem urging people to take all the precautionary measures.
In the video for the anthem, Mangu urges everyone to practice social distancing but keep our hearts connected. The video also features other characters of the movie as they ask us to avoid going out of the house unnecessarily. The video ends with the message, “Stay home, stay safe.”
Shuja Haider and Asrar lend their vocals for the anthem. The lyrics have been written by Donkey King director Aziz Jindani.
Donkey King is Pakistan’s comedy animated movie released in October 2018. The movie has been released in cinemas around the world and has also been dubbed in many languages, including Turkish, Ukrainian, Russian, Korean, Spanish, Basque, and Catalan.
As the coronavirus brings the international sports calendar to a grinding halt, AFP Sport highlighted three long-standing habits which could change forever once competition resumes.
Saliva to take shine off swing bowling
It’s been a tried and trusted friend to fast bowlers throughout the history of cricket but the days of applying saliva to one side of the ball to encourage swing could be over in the aftermath of COVID-19.
“As a bowler I think it would be pretty tough going if we couldn’t shine the ball in a Test match,” said Australia quick Pat Cummins.
“If it’s at that stage and we’re that worried about the spread, I’m not sure we’d be playing sport.”
Towels in tennis – no touching
Tennis players throwing towels, dripping with sweat and blood and probably a tear or two, at ball boys and girls, has often left fans sympathising for the youngsters. Moves by officials to tackle the issue took on greater urgency in March when the coronavirus was taking a global grip.
Behind closed doors in Miki, ball boys and girls on duty at the Davis Cup tie between Japan and Ecuador wore gloves.
Baskets, meanwhile, were made available for players to deposit their towels.
Back in 2018, the ATP introduced towel racks at some events on a trial basis, but not everyone was overjoyed.
“I think having the towel whenever you need it, it’s very helpful. It’s one thing less that you have to think about,” said Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas when he was playing at the NextGen Finals in Milan.
“I think it’s the job of the ball kids to provide towels and balls for the players.”
Let’s not shake on it
Pre-match handshakes were abandoned in top football leagues just before the sports shutdown. Premier League leaders Liverpool also banned the used of mascots while Southampton warned against players signing autographs and stopped them posing for selfies.
Away from football, the NBA urged players to opt for the fist bump rather than the long-standing high-five.
“I ain’t high-fiving nobody for the rest of my life after this,” NBA superstar LeBron James said in an interview, adding “No more high-fiving. After this corona shit? Wait ’til you see me and my teammates’ handshakes after this shit.”
Basketball stars were also told not to take items such as balls or teams shirts to autograph.
US women’s football star Megan Rapinoe says edicts to ban handshakes or even high-fives may be counter-productive anyway.
“We’re going to be sweating all over each other all game, so it sort of defeats the purpose of not doing a handshake,” she told the New York Times in March.
Pakistani actor Hira Tareen revealed in a recent interview that she has synesthesia, a medical condition in which people associate objects such as letters, shapes, numbers or people’s names with a sensory perception such as smell, colour or flavour.
In a recent interview, Tareen shared that as a child she used to associate numbers with colours, and did not think it was anything out of the ordinary. She did not know it was a medical condition with a proper term until she was in America for a clinic checkup.
“I was in America at a random clinic for a checkup when I saw something on TV that actually described my condition. When I saw that documentary on CNN, I was shocked to discover that whatever they were describing was what I did in my childhood. It’s a condition called synesthesia and in it, people join objects such as letters, shapes, numbers or people’s names with a sensory perception such as smell, colour or flavour.”
The 32-year-old model/actor is married to Ali Safina since 2013, and together they have a daughter.
The coronavirus lockdown is affecting us all in different ways. While some of us are increasing our social media activity in a bid to remain connected, others are using this time to disconnect from the world and isolate themselves in the truest sense.
Maya Ali, who has always maintained an active social media profile, has shared with her fans that she is taking a break from social media “to detox, to find inner peace and reset my whole system.”
“Sometimes we need time to think and count our blessings,” she wrote.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-o1XMonUhe/
Maya added that her team will keep her fans updated about the ration bags that she and her friend Faiza Saqlain are distributing among the needy people in the society. In an interview, Maya had revealed that she had raised almost four million rupees in donations for these ration bags.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-KGnBYHihv/
Maya’s last appearance was in the film Parey Hut Love alongside Sheheryar Munawar. The actor has hinted that she will be seen in another film very soon.
