Author: newsdesk

  • Instagram users say no views when people post pro Palestine content

    Instagram users say no views when people post pro Palestine content

    As the civilian death toll from Israel’s bombing of Gaza continues to rise Instagram users have complained that they are not getting views on pro Palestine content.

    While more than a 1000 Palestinians are dead, including more than 600 children, others are struggling to survive through Israel’s embargo on food, water, electricity, and other basic services.

    Israel’s atrocities in Gaza have resulted in people around the world raising their voice on social media and sharing footage.

    This also includes Pakistani influencers and Instagram users with a significant amount of following.

    They are now highlighting that the viewership on their Instagram stories has starkly decreased every since they started sharing pro-Palestinian content.

    This has not happened for the first time.

    Instagram (i.e. Meta) is known to deliberately restrict the outreach of content that is in support of Palestine or merely stating facts that put Israel in a bad light.

    Quds News Network, the largest Palestinian news outlet, has said that Meta has suspended it’s page on Israel’s complaint.

  • Gold price surges by Rs4,900 in a single day, reaches Rs202,000 per tola 

    Gold price surges by Rs4,900 in a single day, reaches Rs202,000 per tola 

    The price of gold in Pakistan has experienced a significant surge following an increase in the global market.  

    According to the All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA), the cost of 24-carat gold has risen by Rs4,900, reaching Rs202,000 per tola.  

    Meanwhile, the price of 10-gramme gold has also seen a substantial increase, going up by Rs4,201 to settle at Rs173,182. 

    In the international market, the price of gold saw a notable uptick, with a $46 increase, bringing it to $1,938 per ounce.  

    Concurrently, the US dollar (USD) weakened by Rs5.07 against the Pakistani rupee in the interbank market over the course of this week’s trading. In interbank trading, the USD declined from Rs282.69 to Rs277.62 this week. 

    Furthermore, the American currency witnessed a decrease of Rs4.50 in the open market at the end of the week, closing at Rs277, down from Rs281.50. 

  • AI helps researchers decode 2000-year-old text buried by volcano

    AI helps researchers decode 2000-year-old text buried by volcano

    Researchers, led by Professor Brent Seales at the University of Kentucky, have harnessed the power of artificial intelligence to decode a single word from an ancient Herculaneum scroll nearly 2,000 years old. 

    These scrolls, preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, were thought to be lost to history. 

    Their remarkable discovery was made possible with support from Silicon Valley investors, who have offered cash rewards for anyone able to extract legible text from these ancient manuscripts. 

    Stephen Parsons, a researcher on the project, emphasised the significance of their achievement, calling it the “first recovered text from one of these rolled-up, intact scrolls.” Since the project’s inception, they have been steadily uncovering more letters and words from these ancient scrolls. 

    In what they’ve termed the “Vesuvius challenge,” Professor Seales and his team made thousands of 3D X-ray images of two scrolls publicly available. They also introduced an AI system trained to decipher the characters within the scrolls. 

    The scrolls are believed to be the work of Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, a prominent Roman statesman. Two individuals, Luke Farritor in Nebraska and Youssef Nader in Berlin, independently decoded the same ancient Greek word in one of the scrolls: “πορφύρας,” which means “purple.” 

    Dr. Federica Nicolardi, a papyrologist at the University of Naples Federico II, reported that three lines of the scroll, containing up to 10 letters, are now readable, with the promise of more to come. A recent section has unveiled at least four columns of text. 

    Professor Seales noted that this word provides a tantalising glimpse into an unopened ancient book, evoking ideas of royalty, wealth, and irony.  

    The full context remains a mystery, and it is unclear what the scroll discusses, but Professor Seales is optimistic that it will soon be revealed. 

    While the texts analysed so far are in ancient Greek, there is an expectation that some may be in Latin. The discovery of potentially unexplored sections of the library could yield even greater treasures, including new plays, poems, and lost historical texts. 

    For Professor Seales, this achievement represents a significant step into uncharted territory, akin to landing on the moon, and he and his team are eager to continue exploring these remarkable artefacts. 

  • ‘Today’s match looked like a BCCI event, not ICC’: Mickey Arthur

    ‘Today’s match looked like a BCCI event, not ICC’: Mickey Arthur

    Pakistan cricket team director Mickey Arthur has said after his team’s defeat by India, “Today’s match was not an International Cricket Council (ICC) event but looked like a home event of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). I didn’t hear “Dil Dil Pakistan” coming through the microphones too often tonight.”

    The coach was referring to an anthem, sang by Vital Signs, that Pakistani fans sing at all their team matches.

    While addressing a press conference after the match, Mickey Arthur said” We did not play well today, getting out for 155 to 191 is not fair, it was a big match, we could have done better on this wicket”.

    He said “India bowled well, we could have counter-pressured but today we could not play according to the Pakistan way”. He said the team goes into the field to win every match.”Past records are only played in the media. Its a long World Cup, we win two out of three matches,” adding that the team will focus on the next match with patience.

    He was hopeful to play the final with this team, trying to give confidence to Shadab and Nawaz.

    It should be noted that in the biggest match of the ICC Cricket World Cup, India easily defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets.

  • World Cup 2023: India defeat Pakistan by seven wickets

    World Cup 2023: India defeat Pakistan by seven wickets

    India has defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in Ahmedabad on Saturday in a World Cup 2023 match.

    Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bowl first. Pakistan suffered its first loss in the form of Abdullah Shafiq, who fell to Muhammad Siraj after scoring 20 runs, and after this Imam ul Haq was dismissed by Hardik Pandya for 36 runs.

    Babar Azam was bowled by Siraj for 50 runs with the total score at 155 in the 30th over. After Babar’s dismissal, Pakistan’s wickets fell one after one and the rest of the batsmen could only add 36 runs to the total score.

    Read More: Indian travel ad degrading Pakistani cricket fans faces criticism, backlash

    In reply, India achieved the target of 192 runs for the loss of three wickets in 30.3 overs. Rohit Shrama scored 86 runs while Shreyas Iyer scored unbeaten 53 runs.
    Shaheen Afridi took two wickets for Pakistan’s bowling side.

  • Palestinian bodies stored in ice cream refrigerators now: what do we know about day eight?

    Palestinian bodies stored in ice cream refrigerators now: what do we know about day eight?

    Go to ‘tent cities’ in Egypt’s Sinai Desert

    Previously, Israel had told 1.1 million Palestinians in northern Gaza to move to south Gaza within the span of 24 hours in the light of a potential ground operation.

    This led to a backlash from the UN, Palestinians, and many other humanitarian organisations who deemed it to be “impossible” and catastrophic.

    Yet again, Israel’s former deputy foreign minister, Danny Ayalon, while speaking to Al Jazeera, suggested that Palestinians in Gaza should flee to Egypt’s Sinai Desert, where tent cities would be built for them.

    “The idea is for them to leave over to the open areas where we and the international community will prepare infrastructure … tent cities, with food and with water, just like for the refugees of Syria.”

    Evacuation impossible, says WHO

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that is impossible to evacuate hundreds of critically injured patients from hospitals in northern Gaza “without endangering their lives”.

    “Of the thousands of patients with injuries and other conditions receiving care in hospitals, there are hundreds that are severely wounded and over 100 who require critical care.

    “These are the sickest of the sick. Many thousands more, also with wounds or other health needs, cannot access any kind of care,” the WHO added

    The statement also pointed out that “The compressed timeframe, complex transport logistics, damaged roads, and, above all, lack of supportive care during transport all add to the difficulty of moving.”

    WHO has also called on Israel to lift its blockade of Gaza and to establish a “humanitarian corridor” on urgent basis.

    Hospital staff refuse to leave

    Despite no medical supplies and blockade of food, water and power, the medical teams at a hospital in the northern Gaza Strip have refused to evacuate, rejecting the Israeli army’s order.

    70 dead while fleeing northern Gaza on Israel’s callOfficials have revealed that a significant number of Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air raids while fleeing the northern Gaza Strip.

    Among the 70 killed were mostly children and women and were in their transport, on their to South.

    324 Palestinians killed in less than 24 hours

    The death toll of Palestinians in Gaza has reached 324 according to health ministry whereas 1,000 have been wounded as the result of Israeli air raids in the last 24 hours.

    Reportedly, 66 percent of the affectees are women and children.

    Previously, hospitals in Gaza report that since October 7, Israeli air raids have killed at least 256 people, including 20 children, and wounded 1,788 others in less than 24 hours, according to hospitals in Gaza.

    According to WAFA’s correspondent, Israeli forces have targeted Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood in Gaza city and the Red Crescent’s al-Quds Hospital that was currently sheltering hundreds of families.

    Simultaneously, dozens of homes and residential buildings have also been destroyed. Israeli fire has killed at least 52 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since Hamas’s attack on October 7, according to Palestinian health officials.

    Palestinian bodies stored in ice cream refrigerators due to lack of space in hospitals

    Due to lack of space in hospital morgues in Gaza, the bodies of Palestinians killed by Israeli air raids are now being stored in ice cream refrigerators instead.

    1,300+ buildings destroyed in Gaza: UN

    The United Nations reports that more than 1,300 buildings in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed in the Israeli attacks.

    OCHA calculates the destruction of “5,540 housing units” in the destroyed buildings and nearly 3,750 homes have become uninhabitable.

    Top Hammas military commander dead

    According to the Israeli military, a senior military commander of Hamas heading the group’s aerial operations has been killed in Israeli air raids.Hamas is yet to respond to the news.

    credits: Al-Jazeera

  • Loss-making PIA announced bonuses for employees on their “good performance”

    Loss-making PIA announced bonuses for employees on their “good performance”

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), one of the biggest money-losing entities in the country, has ironically announced that they will pay their employees an increment for “good performance”.

    As reported by The News, PIA’s management announced the bonus for the performance of the employees over the last six months, from April to September. The bonus will be implemented by October 2023. The amount that was decided is tantamount to the bonus issued in 2022.

    PIA is going through a monthly loss of Rs 12 billion and a total loss of over Rs 740 billion but the bonus that was announced is Rs 915 million. The increment in salaries will be 5-10 percent paid on March 31, 2023. The employees who are told to leave on or before October were recruited recently or got a promotion or salary increase in these six months are not eligible for it.

    The airline has announced this expenditure while it is grappling with issues of fuel outages and financial loss. According to Caretaker Federal Minister for Privatization Fawad Hasan Fawad, 15 out of 34 PIA aircraft are grounded, the airline is operating with only 19 aircraft and some of them are also not fully operational. The gap between income (22 billion) and expense(34 billion) which is increasing with time.

    Amidst the ongoing debate of privatization, PIA has taken a loan of Rs260 billion from commercial banks on a government guarantee. It is not paying tax of Rs1.25 billion to the FBR and has not been able to pay more than Rs1 billion per month to Civil Aviation.

  • McDonalds Pakistan, Turkey, Lebanon release statements; dissociate themselves from Israel

    On Friday, McDonalds attracted global backlash after its Israel account released statements announcing free food for the Israel Defense Force (IDF) and other soldiers. #BoycottMcdonalds began trending globally, and many twitter users declared they were no longer supporting the fast food franchise.

    READ MORE: #BoycottMcDonalds trends as the fast food giant opens five new restaurants for Israeli security forces, donates 4,000 daily meals

    Several outlets from Pakistan, Turkey and Lebanon have released statements on their Instagram accounts where they have distanced themselves from the Israeli brand.

    Pakistan’s McDonalds wrote they were not affiliated with the Israeli brand, stressing that the brand made decisions in respect with their own country.

    Meanwhile, McDonalds Turkey, in their statement, condemned the support for Israel and announced they were donating aid worth $1 million dollars to the people of Gaza.

    After several unverified reports claimed the McDonalds franchise in Lebanon was attacked and raided by Palestine supporters, the franchise posted a statement disassociating themselves from the Israeli branch.

  • Why was pre-match ceremony before Pakistan-India not telecast?

    Why was pre-match ceremony before Pakistan-India not telecast?

    The Pak-India takra is underway with Pakistan batting first. A colorful ceremony was held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad before the match. The event was attended by many celebrities including superstars Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth and Arijit Singh.

    Indian singer Neha Kakkar also performed at the event. However, the ceremony was only viewed by spectators present in the ground as it was not shown on TV channels.

  • Pakistan team hailed by compatriots as India keeps fans away from match

    As the high-voltage World Cup 2023 Pakistan – India match plays out in Ahmedabad, there are no Pakistani fans at the Narendra Modi stadium.

    Pakistani fans were not given a visa by the Modi government but the Green Shirts have all the support off the ground from home with the public glued to the screen and politicians, along with celebrities, cheering for them on social media.

    Caretaker PM Anwar-ul-haq Kakkar extended his support to the team in a tweet saying, “Let’s bring it home”.

    Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also took to X to show his enthusiasm by saying that he is “Rooting for Team Green”.

    Asma Sherazi lamented the visas not being issued but wished the team well.

    Ex-cricketers seemed to be equally excited as Mohammad Hafeez posted about the “Match of the year” and expressed his wish for the team to win.

    Wasim Akram reminded the team that “at the end of the day it’s just a game, go out there and do what you do best”.

    Shaharyar Ejaz, a journalist tweeting live from the ground, wrote that he hoped to see the team win on Indian soil.

    Filmmaker Nabeel Qureshi hoped for team Pakistan to play out a “suprise”.

    Fahad Mustafa cheered the team with, “Let’s do this boys”.

    On the other side, there are people vehemently criticizing the Indian Government for not issuing visas to Pakistani fans.

    Professor Ashok Swain lambasted the Government by saying that “It’s not Cricket, It’s Low-life’s Politics”.

    Another user criticised the crowd for trampling the spirit of the game as videos of them booing Pakistan captain Babar Azam circulated on social media.