Author: newsdesk

  • ‘Shame on you Biden’; Pro-Palestine protestors interrupt glamorous presidential fundraiser

    ‘Shame on you Biden’; Pro-Palestine protestors interrupt glamorous presidential fundraiser

    Pro-Palestine protesters interrupted President Joe Biden‘s conversation with his predecessors, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, at a glamorous fundraiser in New York for the Presidential re-election campaign.

    The disruption isn’t surprising, given that many of Biden’s events have seen protestors calling for a ceasefire in the war on Gaza. This time, according to a pool report, one of the protesters was yelling obscenities about a nuclear war with Russia. Other protesters interrupted over the situation in Gaza.
    Once the show began, Biden, Obama, and Clinton were each interrupted multiple times by Gaza protesters inside the hall, laying bare the unrest within the Democratic Party that hangs over the election.

    “Blood on your hands,” some yelled, at one point prompting Obama to snap back. “You can’t just talk and not listen. That’s what the other side does.”

    Video clips show pro-Palestinian demonstrators accosting people on the street in New York City after they attended the reelection fundraiser for US President Joe Biden.

    Biden exclaimed, “There are too many innocent victims, Israeli and Palestinian. We’ve got to get more food and medicine, supplies into the Palestinians. But we can’t forget, Israel is in a position where its very existence is at stake. You have to have all those people. They weren’t killed. They were massacred. They were massacred.” This enraged the protestors as they started calling out the President.

    “How dare you talk about the innocent deaths of Palestinians. Palestinians are dying right now because of your actions,” a protestor was seen yelling as he was taken into custody by the security.

    Another woman was seen shouting, “Shame on you Joe Biden”.

    A leading New York pro-Palestinian group, Within Our Lifetime, was among those organizing protests, billed as the “Flood Manhattan For Gaza” rally.
    The group issued a call to supporters ahead of the fundraiser, writing on X: “GENOCIDE JOE HAS GOT TO GO! Protesting genocide Joe, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton outside their democratic fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall!,” reports USA Today.

    In an interview with Al Jazeera, a protestor named Cheryl was seen saying, “I won’t be voting for Biden, for sure, I mean, even if he stopped the war right now, just for what the Palestinian people have suffered, I can’t”.

  • Civil-military leaders decide on action against corruption, smuggling, power theft

    Civil-military leaders decide on action against corruption, smuggling, power theft

    The civil-military leadership of the country has chosen to take tough measures against anyone engaged in illegal activities like corruption, smuggling, power theft, and criminal gangs.

    The decisions were taken in a high-level meeting — with an agenda of “measures against spectrum of illegal activities and criminal mafias” — chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday attended by civil-military leadership in which measures against unlawful activities were discussed.

    General Syed Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), along with federal cabinet members, chief ministers, and other high-ranking government officials, participated in the important meeting.

    The authorities thoroughly explained the actions taken against criminal mafias, smuggling, hoarding, money laundering, power theft, and repatriation of illegal foreigners to the participants.

  • DIG East’s son allegedly engages in aerial firing; Sindh Police takes action

    Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon has taken action after videos of alleged aerial firing by the son of a senior Karachi police official circulated on social media.

    The son of Karachi East Deputy Inspector General of Police Azfar Mahesar can be seen firing pistols and rifles into the air from a luxury car, with policemen seemingly present in one of the clips.

    As the video quickly gained traction on social media, IGP Memon ordered an investigation against DIG East, directing Karachi’s additional IGP to oversee the inquiry. A statement issued by Sindh police asserted that disciplinary measures would be taken upon the completion of the investigation, which will also examine the legality of the weapons used.

    IGP Memon affirmed his commitment to prevent such incidents from causing fear and disorder. Meanwhile, DIG Mahesar stressed that the videos were edited and stated that he is probing the matter.

    Aerial firing is prohibited in Sindh, and as per the police, two college students were recently arrested for their alleged involvement in a similar incident on February 28 at Seaview.

    Authorities reiterated that there is a strict ban on weapon displays and aerial firing, citing the students’ actions as causing fear and distress among the public.

  • PCB advertises openings for coaches on its website

    PCB advertises openings for coaches on its website

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has published openings on its website head coaches for men’s cricket team White Ball and Red Ball formats.

    According to the advertisement, candidates for coaches will be able to submit applications till April 15.

    PCB has decided to appoint separate head coaches for white ball and red ball. Media reports have said that Gary Kirsten is being considered for white ball and Jason Gillespie for red ball cricket.

  • Muhammad Hafeez’s valuable gifts stolen on return from America

    Muhammad Hafeez’s valuable gifts stolen on return from America

    Pakistan cricket team former captain Mohammad Hafeez’s valuable gifts stolen on his return home from America.

    Muhammad Hafeez issued a statement X stating, “On March 26, my journey from New York to Lahore began. When I got my belongings on reaching home from America, my suitcase was damaged and my valuables and gifts were stolen from my bag.”

    He said, “I have filed a complaint at Lahore Airport, so far I have not received any response regarding my luggage.”

    Mohammad Hafeez also expressed his anger over the poor service of the airline.

  • 14-year-old girl commits suicide after stressing about first period

    14-year-old girl commits suicide after stressing about first period

    A 14-year-old girl in Mumbai committed suicide as she was stressed about the pain due to her first period, according to Indian news platform India Today.
    The girl had no knowledge about the menstrual cycle due to which she was forced to take the extreme step, says the police report.

    The unfortunate incident took place late on March 26. The teenager informed her family members about her first period and said she was experiencing extreme pain.

    The young girl became restless as she could not bear the pain due to her period and subsequently hung herself in the room. The victim’s family took her to a nearby hospital, but she was declared dead upon her arrival.

    A post-mortem of the body was conducted and no foul play was found, according to media reports.

    The incident has raised concerns over the lack of awareness and information regarding the menstrual cycle especially among children.

    In a survey by BeBadass.in, 60 percent of girls do not have prior knowledge about their menstrual cycle while 56 percent in India consider it a taboo. A shocking 38 percent believe the first occurrence to be an injury or a disease.

    This is not about India alone as menstrual hygiene and seeking knowledge about it is seen as a taboo across South Asia. Sad incidents like these stress the need to have proper counselling with teenagers on menstruation and how to deal with it.

  • Pakistani rupee gains only Rs1.16 against US dollar throughout March

    Pakistani rupee gains only Rs1.16 against US dollar throughout March

    In March, the Pakistani rupee (PKR) demonstrated resilience, maintaining stability against the US dollar (USD) while marking slight gains.

    Throughout the month, the PKR experienced marginal fluctuations, witnessing minor increments and decrements in value.

    Despite this, the overall trajectory showcased a modest uptick, with the local currency gaining 1.16 rupees against the USD, concluding the month at Rs277.95 per USD.

    In Friday’s trading session alone, the PKR exhibited a noteworthy appreciation, strengthening by 8.61 paisa against the greenback.

    During today’s trading activities, the currency displayed a range, reaching an intraday high bid of 278.45 and a low ask of 280.41.

    Notably, throughout the current financial year, the PKR has displayed resilience, appreciating by 8.04 rupees against the Dollar, reflecting a 2.89 per cent increase. Similarly, within the scope of the current calendar year, the PKR has witnessed a gain of 3.91 rupees, equating to a 1.41 per cent appreciation.

    In parallel, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) undertook strategic financial operations, including a reverse repo and Shariah Compliant Modarabah-based Open Market Operation (OMO) today.

    Through these interventions, the SBP injected a cumulative total of Rs2.71 trillion into the market, underscoring efforts to maintain liquidity and stability within the financial landscape.

  • Weekly inflation inches down, yearly SPI surges

    Weekly inflation inches down, yearly SPI surges

    The Weekly Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the Combined Group saw a slight dip of 0.09 per cent week over week (WoW) for the week ending March 28, 2024.

    However, compared to the same period last year, the SPI surged by 29.41 per cent, as revealed by data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

    The Combined Index stood at 323.20, a slight decrease from 323.50 the previous week, while it was considerably higher at 249.75 a year ago.

    Among the 51 items monitored, prices of 04 (7.84 per cent) items increased, 18 (35.30 per cent) items decreased, and 29 (56.86 per cent) items remained stable during the week.

    Notable decreases were observed in the prices of Tomatoes (12.04 per cent), Wheat Flour (3.80 per cent), Garlic (2.59 per cent), LPG (2.42 per cent), and Wheat (2.09 per cent).

    Conversely, significant increases were noted in the prices of Chicken (4.92 per cent), Eggs (1.61 per cent), Shirting (0.56 per cent), and Rice Irri 6/9 (0.15 per cent).

    The weekly SPI percentage change across all income groups indicated a decrease, ranging between -0.03 per cent and -0.27 per cent.

    The lowest income group experienced the most significant weekly fall of 0.27 per cent, while the highest income group saw a decrease of 0.03 per cent.

    On a yearly basis, SPI increased across all income segments, ranging between 22.15 per cent and 33.5 per cent.

    The Lowest Income Group recorded a 22.15 per cent increase, while the highest income group saw a rise of 26.58 per cent.

    In terms of specific commodities, the average price of Sona urea stood at Rs4,828 per 50 kg bag, marking a marginal decrease of 0.02 per cent compared to last week, yet reflecting a significant increase of 69.56 per cent compared to last year.

    Meanwhile, the average Cement price was recorded at Rs1,220 per 50 kg bag, showing a slight decrease of 0.06 per cent compared to the previous week but an increase of 8.47 per cent compared to prices last year.

  • Didn’t call him, but wrote a letter: Biden tells Shehbaz they need to work together

    Didn’t call him, but wrote a letter: Biden tells Shehbaz they need to work together

    United States President Joe Biden, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday in which he emphasised that Washington will “continue to stand with Pakistan” in confronting “most pressing global and regional challenges”.

    While Biden did not call the PM, this letter is the first official diplomatic correspondence between the two states. This holds significance for Pakistan because relations between the two nations have been tense ever since former Prime Minister Imran Khan publicly accused the US of launching a conspiracy in a bid to remove him in 2022.

    “The enduring partnership between our nations remains critical to ensuring the security of our people — and people around the world —and the United States will continue to stand with Pakistan to tackle the most pressing global and regional challenges of our time,” the letter read.
    Biden also talked about the US-Pakistan Green Alliance framework, the two countries would collaborate and strengthen their climate resilience and supporting Pakistan’s development from floods of 2022.

    “Together, we will continue to forge a strong partnership between our nations and close bond between our people,” the letter concluded.

  • Gold price increases by Rs3,800 per tola

    Gold price increases by Rs3,800 per tola

    Gold prices in Pakistan surged further on Friday, propelled by a remarkable surge in the global market.

    The price of gold per tola soared to an unprecedented level, hitting Rs234,800 in local markets after witnessing a substantial gain of Rs3,800 within the span of a single day.

    According to data provided by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the price for 10 grammes of gold stood at Rs201,303, marking a notable increase of Rs3,258 from the previous day’s rates.

    Thursday had already seen a significant uptick in gold prices in Pakistan, with an increase of Rs1,500 per tola.

    Meanwhile, the international gold market witnessed a similar trend, with gold rates surging to a historic high of $2,254 per ounce.

    This marked a substantial gain of $40, accompanied by a $20 premium. APGJSA reported these figures, underscoring the remarkable momentum in the global gold market.

    In parallel, silver prices also experienced an upward trajectory, rising by Rs20 to reach Rs2,600 per tola, further highlighting the general bullish sentiment in precious metal markets.