Author: newsdesk

  • After Sonam, Bollywood star Bipasha Basu speaks out against Gaza genocide

    After Sonam, Bollywood star Bipasha Basu speaks out against Gaza genocide

    Bollywood star Bipasha Basu has lent her voice to the growing call of protestors demanding an end to the genocide in Gaza. Al-Jazeera reports that almost 8000 civilians have been killed due to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, with more than 3000 children among them.

    The actress shared a picture showing two children crying next to their dead mother, surrounded by destroyed buildings. In the caption it was written: “No war or religion can be bigger than countless innocent lives.”

    These are babies..” begged Bipasha. “Irrespective of any religion have some mercy.”

    Sonam Kapoor sent her support to the Palestinians when she shared two pictures on her Instagram stories spreading awareness of the countless children who were butchered during the Israeli strikes. Sonam shared a post from a column written in The New York Times codenmning the one-sided coverage of major publications that ignored the trauma of Palestinian babies.

    READ MORE: Sonam Kapoor speaks out for Palestine, other prominent Bollywood celebrities silent

    Other Bollywood actors have remained majorly silent about the Gaza genocide. While a viral tweet from Shah Rukh Khan’s X (formerly Twitter) account from 2014 went viral where he condemned the murder of little children.

  • 3,324 children killed in Gaza since October 7: What we know about day 24

    3,324 children killed in Gaza since October 7: What we know about day 24

    Children in Gaza

    Save the Children has reported that more children have died in Gaza in the past three weeks than the annual total killed in conflicts across the globe every year since 2019.

    Their report, issued on Sunday, revealed that at least 3,324 children have been killed in Gaza since October 7 and 36 in the occupied West Bank.

    Reports from the UN Secretary-General on children and armed conflict have stated that a total of 2,985 children were killed in 24 countries in 2022; 2,515 in 2021, and 2,674 in 2020 across 22 countries.

    3,195 children killed in #Gaza in just three weeks has surpassed the annual number of children killed across the world’s conflict zones since 2019. We are calling for an immediate ceasefire. pic.twitter.com/vrEQ846tPB— Save the Children International (@save_children) October 29, 2023

    Israel’s ground operation in Gaza

    Al Jazeera has highlighted the news briefing of an Israeli army spokesperson which reveals that their army has proceeded with ground operation with additional forces and tanks, while infantry goes further into the Gaza Strip. Additionally, ground forces are supported by air raids.

    Dozens of alleged Hamas fighters have reportedly been killed overnight.

    This ground offensive is said to escalate with time.

    Large number of arrests in occupied West Bank:

    Israeli air raid targeted “several” alleged Hamas fighters in refugee camp in Jenin, arresting dozens belonging to armed groups.

    700 people, who are said to be Hamas fighters, have reportedly been arrested in the occupied territories since October 7.

    As of yet, a total of at least 1,070 suspects have been taken into custody.

    Al-Quds hospital in danger

    Al-Quds hospital in Gaza is currently under threat of an Israeli attack.

    According to Al Jazeera Arabic, medical staff and patients at al-Quds Hospital.

    While everyone is expected to evacuate the premises, the staff does not have a place to go to. They add that there are no available hospitals to transfer patients to, especially amid continuous Israeli attacks.

    Al-Quds hospital is sheltering 12,000 displaced Gazans and catering to hundreds of patients.

  • Caretaker government is in contact with all political parties, says Sarfraz Bugti

    Caretaker government is in contact with all political parties, says Sarfraz Bugti

    As the general elections approach nearer, caretaker federal Interior Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, has stated that the interim government is in contact with all political parties, and there are “no favorites.”

    While talking in Shehzad Iqbal’s programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, the security Czar said that the caretaker government is also in contact with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), not just with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    “It is our [caretaker government’s] responsibility to assist the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) [in the electoral process],” he mentioned while saying that the caretaker government just obeyed the directions given by electoral authorities regarding posting and transferring of officers and bureaucrats.

    “Whatever the ECP’s directions are, we will abide by it,” he added.

    ECP has directed the caretaker government to transfer Inspector General Police (IG) Islamabad.

    “The IG Islamabad is performing well […] It is my wish that he continues to work [as federal capital’s police chief],” the security czar said while emphasizing that federal government will follow ECP’s directives regarding IG’s transfer.

    The ECP announced on September 21 that general elections will be conducted in the last week of January 2024.

  • CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja satisfied with Punjab govt initiatives to hold elections

    CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja satisfied with Punjab govt initiatives to hold elections

    Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja is satisfied with the initiatives taken by the Punjab caretaker government to conduct polls in the province.

    The CEC gave the statement while discussing the upcoming general elections in today’s meeting with Punjab caretaker cabinet.

    The commission provided an extensive overview of the arrangements for the upcoming provincial elections.

    Provincial election commission members Nisar Ahmad Durrani, Shah Muhammad Jatoi, Ikramullah Khan and Babar Hasan Bharwana also attended the meeting.

    During the huddle, the CEC stressed that general election will be held on time as well as the electoral body will fully support the interim government in conducting a free and fair election in the province.

    Raja has also mentioned that the process of delimitation will be finished by November 30, adding that ECP is ready to conduct free and fair elections in the country.

    The interim Chief Minister (CM), Mohsin Naqvi, said that caretaker government will fully support the electoral body for peaceful and transparent elections.

    “Fool-proof arrangements will be made to ensure the free conduct of elections in Punjab,” CM Naqvi said, adding that the interim government will follow the ECP.

  • Kurram Agency’s sectarian clashes leave 50 dead before peace-deal

    Kurram Agency’s sectarian clashes leave 50 dead before peace-deal

    The six-day long sectarian clashes in Kurram have ended with a peace deal mediated by local jirgas. According to The Nation the armed fight took the lives of of 50 people.

    Kurram Agency is traditionally a volatile region. This round marks the third major violent eruption of the year, causing a major blackout of electricity and internet, traffic of the roads, schools and other institutions being closed.

    The two warring groups are based in Khar Kalay Village and the Baleech Khel. 

    Firing from both sides continued since the last week, resulting in extreme unrest and scarcity of basic necessities from food to the medicines. The local administration has called for the military intervention and the elders of the two group were trying to bring an end the violence. 

    The agreement was made in the backdrop of the attacks on vehicles in Charkhel between the leaders of the two main sects after different rounds of talks in Alizai Qila under the supervision of district administration and local scouts. 

    It has been agreed upon by the two sides to maintain peace and abandanoing the use of weaponary and bunkers.

  • Jail mein Imran Khan ki kaun kaun si khwahish puri hogayi?

    Jail mein Imran Khan ki kaun kaun si khwahish puri hogayi?

    Former Prime Minister and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has reportedly had all his desires fulfilled during his time in Adiala Jail, so far.

    A few days ago, the Advocate General of Punjab informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that Imran Khan was being provided with facilities under the jail manual. He also talks to his sons who live in the UK via WhatsApp.

    As per sources of Jang newspaper, Imran Khan has been provided with the following: 

    • Space to walk
    • An exercise machine
    • Television
    • Charpoy
    • Mattress
    • Chair
    • Table
    • Newspapers
    • Books
    • Attached bathroom

    It is reported that the exercise machine, weighing approximately 75 kilograms and valued at Rs1 million, is commonly known as a “mini-gym” in the public domain. 

    Additionally, six doctors and three male nurses have been assigned to him.

    In line with the regulations of the central jail, four cells have been allocated for the former PM during the daytime. 

    A “pehra” in jail parlance refers to a set consisting of four cells or silos where four individuals are accommodated. However, for high-profile prisoners, for security reasons, they are kept separate from other inmates. 

    Therefore, a “pehra” comprising four cells was assigned to Imran Khan, which allowed him to have a 40-foot walkway in front of it, meeting his request for more space. Following a court order, the jail administration also removed the inner wall between the cells during noon, granting him permission to walk in the area in front of eight cells.

    Imran Khan also gets Desi Murgh as per his meal requirements.

    The jail authorities facilitate meetings with his family on Tuesdays and meetings with his lawyers on Thursdays. Permission has been granted to Khan’s lawyers to meet Imran Khan on Tuesdays now as well.

  • #ShameOnYouZaka trends as Pakistan has three more matches left in World Cup

    #ShameOnYouZaka trends as Pakistan has three more matches left in World Cup.

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials leaked Babar Azam’s private whatsapp chat on a live show on ARY NEWS hosted by Waseem Badami, leading to a storm of condemnation.

    Former wicket-keeper Rashid Latif claimed on Saturday that Babar Azam is calling PCB’s senior officials but they are ignoring his messages. However PCB’s Chairman Zaka Ashraf denied these allegations and said, “Rashid Latif’s statement was wrong, which is regrettable, I think it is also part of an agenda”.

    During the show on ARY NEWS, Shoaib Jutt showed a screenshot of Babar and PCB official Salman Naseer’s chat on live show.

    In the chat, Salman Naseer asks Babar on Whatsapp chat, “Babar there is also been this news circulating on TV and social media that you have been calling chairman and he isn’t answering, did you called him recently?”

    The screenshot showed that Babar Azam replied, “Salam Salman sir. Mene to sir ko koi call nai ki.”

    Azhar Ali then remarked, “Has he (Salman Naseer) gotten permission from Babar Azam before forwarding to this chat to him (Shoaib Jutt), and to show this chat on live show, I think you have to get permission from Babar before showing this on live show”.

    To this Shoaib Jutt replied, “I don’t think we need to ask Babar Azam. We are journalists, it is our job to show whatever we have. [Mujhay nahin lagta ke mujhay Babar Azam se pochna chaiay tha. Hum journalist hein, hamara to kaam hee yehi hai, jo mile us ko dikha dein]”

    Social media in Pakistan and India reacted uproariously, with many senior journalists too slamming the incident. PCB is being slammed for leaking a private chat.

    Later on in the night, Badami released a video message in which he apologized, saying the decision was “not an ideal one”.

    National former cricketer Waqar Younis slammed this act.

    Here are some reactions on social media:

  • Pakistani-American doctor stabbed to death in front of 17 people

    Pakistani-American doctor stabbed to death in front of 17 people

    52-year-old Pakistani American paediatrician Dr. Talat Khan was stabbed to death in a park in her apartment complex on Saturday afternoon, in front of 17 people.

    The suspected murderer is 24-year-old Miles Joseph Fridrich, and is a white male.
    One of the witnesses, Mathew Amador explained what he saw when he got to the scene of the crime. He said that Fridrich stabbed Khan in broad daylight over and over again, checking to see if she was alive. “When I got there, he was checking her pulse to make sure she was alive,” Amador said, “and then stabbed her three more times.” Amador also yelled out the description of the suspect as the police arrived and they quickly took him into custody. The relationship of the suspect with the victim is unclear and witnesses declared that they have not seen him in the locality before. “I’ve never seen evil like that in my life,” Amador said.

    The Council on American Islamic Relation (CAIR) stated that, “police have not released a motive for the killing. We want to assure everyone that we are in conversation with law enforcement agencies. We are unsure at this moment if this was a hate crime; however, given the tragic circumstances, we are paying very close attention to the investigation.”

    Khan’s brother Wajahat Nyaz said his sister was a kind soul. “Talat’s life revolved around those two things, her kids — her son and daughter — and her kids [patients] she looked after as a paediatrician,” he said.

    The Associate Director of the Al Ansaar Mosque, Mohammad Ayubi said that Khan was a regular visitor and the whole community of 300 to 400 families are grieving. The security around the complex has also been increased.

  • PMA refuses to appoint military officials at public hospitals

    PMA refuses to appoint military officials at public hospitals

    The Islamabad chapter of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Monday recommended to the federal health ministry to not appoint serving military officials as executive directors for Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital.

    According to Geo News, the PMA condemned the letter of appointment of serving military officials sent by the federal health ministry.

    In response to a letter, PMA officeholders warned the federal health ministry about appointing serving military officers to manage public sector health institutions.

    The officials expressed strong disapproval of replacing federal government officials with military personnel, emphasising that such a move would be unacceptable under any circumstances. Furthermore, they mentioned that even military authorities would be unwilling to endorse the action initiated by the federal health ministry.

    On the other hand, a spokesman of federal health ministry said earlier that the appointment will be conducted as per recruitment rules, adding that the government believes in merit.

    The health ministry’s spokesman further stated that the government believes in providing best health facilities to Pakistanis by appointing competent officials.

  • Here are the celebrities who are hackers’ hot favourites

    Here are the celebrities who are hackers’ hot favourites

    A study by McAfee reveals a list of 10 celebrities which are used by hackers as bait while searching for them online may lead to malware and risky websites. The list includes celebrities spotted in deepfake and other AI driven content as well.

    ‘Barbenheimer’ fever is not over yet as the two movies were not just huge hits at the box office but for cybercriminals as well. Internet searches of the two films have got consumers in a rash of ticket scams, download scams and other attacks that were capitalising on these summer hits.

    Who made it to the list?

    In that context, our very own Ken, Ryan Gosling, is the hacker’s favourite celebrity, making it to number one. His co-star Margot Robbie and the titular character of the film Barbie makes it to number eight on the list.
    Emily Blunt, the leading lady of Oppenheimer, is at number two.
    Pop culture icon, actor, singer and producer Jennifer Lopez, known as JLO, is the third most malware attracting celebrity.
    Zendaya, famous for her portrayal of nerdy MJ in Spiderman, makes it to the fourth spot.
    Notoriously popular Elon Musk, owner of X (former Twitter) is unsurprisingly standing on number six.
    Among others are academy award winning actor Kevin Costner on number five, American weather presenter Al Roker on number seven, singer Bad Bunny on number nine and Barbie’s guide Gloria, played by America Ferrera, makes it to the tenth position.
    Football superstar Lionel Messi is also on the list, standing at number 18. Taylor Swift, singer with a huge fan following, made it to number 25.

    The plethora of crimes that can be committed and how?

    The hackers commit crimes with these searches as they pair celebrity names with terms like audiobook, lyrics, deepfake, free ringtone, free movie, free download, MP4, among others—which generate results that lead to shady sites. They carry out fraudulent activities with that because they understand people’s liking for the free celebrity content.

    The study finds out that between 25 to 135 deepfake URLs were celebrity searches. These could be malicious, recreational or cases of false advertising.

    A word of caution:

    Using trusted websites, sticking to legitimate streaming and downloading services and using antivirus softwares may help keep your devices protected and enable safe internet search. Searching about your favourite celebrities is not wrong because their names are used by hackers to attract more traffic. This just needs to be done with a sharp eye.