Author: newsdesk

  • Euro Cup semi-final: Spain reaches the finals after defeating France

    Euro Cup semi-final: Spain reaches the finals after defeating France

    In the first semi-final of the Euro Cup, Spain defeated France by two goals to one and qualified for the final. The semi-final was played in Munich, Germany.

    France took the lead against Spain by scoring in the eighth minute of the match. Randal Kolo Muani scored a goal for France.

    France’s lead against Spain didn’t last long. In the 21st minute of the match, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal of the Spanish team levelled the score at one.

    Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to score a goal in the history of the Euro Cup. The previous youngest scorer in the European Championship was the Swiss player Johan Vonlanthen, who scored against France at 18 in the 2004 Euro Cup.

    In the 21st minute, after the match was tied at one, Spain attacked again against France. In the 25th minute, Dani Olmo scored a wonderful goal to give the team the lead, which was maintained until the scheduled time of the match, and Spain qualified for the final.

    The second team to reach the final will be decided after the second semi-final between England and Holland.

  • PCB removes Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from selection committee

    PCB removes Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from selection committee

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has removed Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from the national cricket team selection committee.

    According to Geo, after their retirement, Muhammad Yusuf and Asad Shafiq are members of the selection committee, and Bilal Afzal is also a member.

    Sources say the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lost faith in both for some time, but the PCB still has faith in Mohammad Yousuf and Asad Shafiq. Their involvement in the T20 World Cup squad selection was high, and these selectors favoured the same players who did not perform.

    Four former cricketers, Wahab Riaz, Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, and Muhammad Yusuf, were included in the national cricket team’s selection committee. Wahab Riaz was also the team’s senior manager.

    The PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had an important meeting with the coaches of the Pakistan Cricket Team, Gary Kirsten, Jason Gillespie and Assistant Coach Azhar Mehmood.

  • Gautam Gambhir appointed head coach of Indian cricket team

    Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the head coach of the Indian team.

    Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah announced the appointment, saying, “We welcome Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. I am confident that Gautam Gambhir is an ideal person for Indian cricket. He has vast experience in cricket, and his vision for Team India is very clear.”

    He said that the Indian Cricket Board will fully support Gautam Gambhir in his new journey.

    Rahul Dravid’s coaching career with the Indian cricket team ended with the T20 World Cup win. He announced his resignation after the T20 World Cup.

  • SBP data reveals govt borrowed Rs8.3 trillion from banks in FY24

    SBP data reveals govt borrowed Rs8.3 trillion from banks in FY24

    The Pakistani government significantly increased its domestic borrowing in the fiscal year 2023-24, according to the latest data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). This period saw the government borrowing Rs8.3 trillion from scheduled banks, a substantial rise from Rs3.6 trillion in FY23 and Rs3.3 trillion in FY22.

    The Federal Government accounted for the bulk of this borrowing, taking Rs8.56 trillion, while the Provincial Government retired Rs261.27 billion. The two primary sources of budgetary support financing are the SBP and scheduled banks.

    In FY24, the government repaid a net amount of Rs694.85 billion to the central bank, bringing the net borrowing figure to Rs7.49 trillion. Government sector borrowings are categorized into three main areas: budgetary support, commodity operations, and others.

    For FY24, the net borrowing for budgetary support stood at Rs7.61 trillion. In contrast, there was a net retirement of Rs107.59 billion for commodity operations and Rs6.18 billion for other categories.

    This notable increase in domestic debt highlights the government’s reliance on internal sources to manage its fiscal requirements amid challenging economic conditions.

  • Major relief announced for power consumers using less than 200 units

    Major relief announced for power consumers using less than 200 units

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has unveiled a substantial relief package worth Rs50 billion aimed at domestic electricity consumers.

    This initiative, set to benefit those using up to 200 units per month, will be in effect for the months of July, August, and September.

    The announcement was made during a ceremony on energy sector reforms held in Islamabad this afternoon. According to the Information Ministry, the relief package is designed to assist 25 million domestic consumers, which constitutes 94 per cent of the total domestic user base.

    Under the terms of the package, the cost of electricity per unit will range between Rs4 and Rs7. This subsidy will also extend to K-Electric consumers. The PM noted that the funding for this initiative will come from the development fund.

    “This decision has been taken to provide relief to the common man in the wake of rising electricity prices,” PM Shehbaz stated

    He acknowledged that the summer months are particularly challenging due to higher electricity consumption. However, he expressed optimism that from October onwards, as the weather cools, electricity usage will naturally decrease.

    PM Shehbaz also reiterated his commitment to addressing the country’s economic challenges, emphasising that tackling corruption is essential for economic recovery. He assured the public that the coalition government is united in its efforts to overcome these difficulties.

  • Saheefa Jabbar Khattak has the most emotional wish for her father

    Saheefa Jabbar Khattak has the most emotional wish for her father

    Pakistani actor Saheefa Jabbar Khattak has always been open about her mental health struggles. In a recent Instagram post, she talked more about her ongoing battles and the emotional toll it has taken on her and her family, especially her father.

    In her latest post, Khattak said, “No father deserves to see his daughter in pain. I wish for health for myself so that my father can stop worrying about me. I don’t want this hollowness to go away because I can’t handle it; now I want it to go away because my father can’t take it. Allah, you are both the Most Merciful and the Most Compassionate. Either make me so strong that I can bear this pain myself, or take it away forever. You know what’s best for me and what tests I should go through. I leave it in Your hands. Just make it easier for my family.”

    This heartfelt message follows other posts where Khattak has shared her mental health journey, talking about the challenges and the stigma. Earlier, she said, “I don’t know about fulfillment anymore, but words matter. The right words, at the right time. I’m feeling this hollowness in my heart, exhausted by the pain and panic returning, the numbness, the fear.” She added, “I’m ashamed of this disease I have, why? Because it makes me feel shallow knowing my privileges and support system. It’s relentless, and I find myself asking Khawaja Saab, ‘Why am I like this?’ He always says the right thing: ‘You are the best the way you are. Some lows in life do not define you as a person.’”

    Khattak has been honest about her use of prescribed antidepressants and the challenges of managing her mental health. “Being on prescribed antidepressants has given me mixed feelings. Initially, I felt numb—not happy or sad, just numb to every feeling, thought, and emotion. Slowly, I decided to lower the dosage to see if I have healed, but I felt an extreme shift. Previously the numbness I mentioned started to make me feel good. Now, I feel pain, fear, and anxiety coming back. I am a little scared too. But it’s alright; I’ll get through this one too.”

  • Over 80,000 Bohras attend community leader’s sermons

    Over 80,000 Bohras attend community leader’s sermons

    Following an invitation extended by the government and the local Bohra community, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the spiritual leader of the Bohra community, arrived in Karachi on July 4 to host ‘Ashara Mubaraka’ congregations this year.

    Over 80,000 Dawoodi Bohras from Pakistan and around the world are expected to attend the events. He delivered the first sermon of “Ashara Mubaraka” in Taheri Masjid, Saddar, on July 8.

    A Dawn report states that Syedna addressed a majlis of “over 80,000 attendees” with Bohra members from diverse areas and professions gathered in Karachi for a single purpose — the remembrance and commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Husain.

    Syedna elaborated upon a number of hadith by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which highlight the role of conviction and self-growth in the sermon.

    For instance, he quoted the Prophet’s statement regarding the honeybee which “consumes only that which is pure, and gives back only that which is pure”.

    Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, 77, is currently serving as the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq and present leader of the worldwide Dawoodi Bohra community. He is currently as a Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.

    Bohra community trace themselves back to Fatimis who held the caliphate from 10th to 12th century.

  • Fans love BTS’ Jimin dancing to Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic song

    Fans love BTS’ Jimin dancing to Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic song

    BTS’s Jimin has once again captured hearts with a mesmerizing tribute to Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan. His latest viral video, edited to the iconic song of ‘Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon’ from the classic film ‘Yes Boss’, has left fans imagining him singing directly to them.

    The video has garnered an impressive 175K likes and counting, with fans flooding the comments with praise and comparisons to Shah Rukh. The edited video shared by ‘jhunjhunastic’, has captured the imagination of many fans, with nearly all appreciating how Jimin’s charm mirrors that of the Bollywood superstar.
    ‘Yes Boss’, produced by Ratan Jain and directed by Aziz Mirza, is a 1997 Bollywood movie. Aditya Pancholi, Juhi Chawla, and Shah Rukh Khan play the main characters in the film.

    Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming films, including ‘King’, ‘Pathaan 2’, and ‘Tiger vs Pathaan’, are generating significant buzz in the industry. It’s exciting to see these two stars, from different corners of the entertainment world, creating waves and captivating audiences with their unique charm and talent.

  • Muharram holidays announced

    Muharram holidays announced

    The federal government on Tuesday announced two-day public holidays for Muharram 9 and 10.

    “[…] the Prime Minister is pleased to declare 16th and 17th July, 2024 (Tuesday and Wednesday) as public holidays on the occasion of Ashura (9th & 10th Moharram 1446 AH),” a notification issued by the Cabinet Division stated.

    The government also approved the deployment of the Pakistan Army across the country as a security measure during the Holy Month.

    The interior ministry stated that the details of troop deployment, which will be enforced for an indefinite period, will be finalised with the authorities concerned, including the governments of Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Islamabad.

    Punjab government has requested the federal government to suspend social media platforms for one week.

    However, the federal government has not yet taken any decision to suspend internet services during Muharram and any decision in this regard will be taken with the consultation of provinces.

  • Nobody has whined as much as Qaidi no 804 on facing cases: Bilawal Bhutto

    Nobody has whined as much as Qaidi no 804 on facing cases: Bilawal Bhutto

    Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed a press conference yesterday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor House, criticising former Prime Minister Imran Khan for “whining so much” about his incarceration.

    “Shouldn’t the law be the same for everyone in the country? Who was that person who used to say, ‘If NAB files a case against me, I’ll fight it myself,’” said Bilawal, referring to Imran Khan.

    “When he’s [Khan] in power, he tries to catch everyone, but when you [Khan] yourself are caught [in legal cases], then you make so much of a hue and cry that we can hear your cries from the USA to Pakistan,” remarked the PPP Chairman.

    Bhutto argued that there isn’t a politician in Pakistan, from Union Council members to prominent political party leaders, that haven’t faced legal cases but “Nobody has whined as much as your Qaidi 804.”