Author: newsdesk

  • Rumors of Gigi Hadid, Bradley Cooper dating after duo spotted together in New York

    Rumors of Gigi Hadid, Bradley Cooper dating after duo spotted together in New York

    It looks like Hollywood is about to get another A-list celebrity couple because Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper were spotted at a dinner date together in New York. According to People Magazine, the actor and model were seen exiting the restaurant Via Carota, leaving in the same SUV, together.

    Both were dressed casually with Gigi wearing a white crop top and a black leather jacket with a miniskirt, and Bradley wearing a stripped jacket and dark jeans. Neither of their representatives have responded to publications asking about their relationship.

    Gigi was previously in a relationship with former One Direction boyband singer Zayn Malik, with whom she shares a daughter, Khai. The two broke up in 2021.

    Bradley Cooper was previously in a long-term relationship with model Irina Shayk, with whom he welcomed a daughter Lea De Seine Shayk Cooper in 2017. The two split in 2019, but have remained on good terms.

  • US dollar hits six-month low against Pakistani currency 

    US dollar hits six-month low against Pakistani currency 

    The Pakistani rupee (PKR) has been on an upward trajectory, with the US dollar (USD) experiencing its lowest value in six months.

    This development follows a concerted effort to combat dollar smuggling, resulting in a decrease of Rs5.50 in interbank trading this week. The greenback concluded the week at Rs282.69.  

    In the open market, the US dollar saw a significant drop of 6.50 rupees, closing at Rs281.50, down from Rs288.

    This decline has been a consistent trend in recent weeks, starting from the beginning of September, when the US currency has been steadily losing ground against the Pakistani rupee.  

    Notably, other foreign currencies have also seen a decrease in their value within the currency market. Over the past week, the Euro fell by 8 rupees, going from Rs306 to Rs298. Similarly, the British Pound Sterling lost Rs5, reaching a rate of Rs248 from its previous Rs253.

    The Saudi Riyal experienced a modest decrease of one rupee, moving from Rs76.20 to Rs75.20, while the Emirates dirham shed Rs2.60 to settle at Rs77.20, down from its previous rate of Rs79.80 over the weekend.  

    This strengthening of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar in the open market has occurred while maintaining a narrow gap with the interbank market, aligning with the limits stipulated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).  

    This positive trend in the rupee’s value against the dollar can be attributed to a nationwide crackdown on illegal currency operations carried out by law enforcement agencies. 

  • Electricity tariff for K-Electric consumers increased by Rs4.45 per unit 

    Electricity tariff for K-Electric consumers increased by Rs4.45 per unit 

     
    Residents of Karachi are set to see an increase in their electricity bills, as the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has recently decided to raise the power tariff by Rs4.45 per unit for consumers of K-Electric (KE).  

    The decision to elevate electricity rates, as outlined in a notification from the Power Division, was made during the initial quarterly adjustment of the preceding fiscal year. 

    Moreover, additional charges from KE consumers will be applied to their October and November 2023 bills, as specified in the notification. 

    Simultaneously, in response to a request from KE, Nepra has granted approval for the inclusion of actual or prudent expenses associated with the temporary operation of Unit-3 of Bin Qasim Power Station (BQPS-I) from May 1 to August 15, 2021, in the cost calculations. 

    Consequently, prior determinations made by the Authority on September 15, 2021, and May 12, 2022, concerning this matter have been adjusted to accommodate this modification. 

    “In view of the foregoing, the Authority hereby decides to accede to the request of KEL [K-Electric Limited] and allows the actual/prudent cost relating to the interim operation of Unit-3 of BQPS-I (from May 1, 2021, to August 15, 2021). Accordingly, the earlier decisions of the Authority (dated September 15, 2021, and May 12, 2022) in this regard stand modified to this extent,” stated the power regulator. 

    However, a member of the authority, Mathar Niaz Rana, expressed in an additional note that under the Multi-Year Tariff (MYT) plan, KE was obligated to have both phases of BQPS-III operational by December 2019, a deadline they failed to meet. 

    Consequently, they resorted to utilising Unit 3 of BQPS-I, resulting in additional fuel expenses. The cost stemming from this inefficiency should not be passed on to consumers. 

    Nepra conducted a public hearing on January 25, 2023, during which KE was given an opportunity to present its case. 

    According to The News, in the hearing, the utility company asserted that they chose to temporarily utilise Unit-3 of BQPS-1 to meet Karachi’s peak summer demand instead of resorting to more costly power generation methods or implementing power outages, all in the best interest of consumers, as per Nepra Act Sections 31(2) and 32(3). 

  • World Cup 2023: Records tumble as South Africa defeats Sri Lanka

    Many records were broken in just one match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 played between South Africa and Sri Lanka on Saturday.

    South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 102 runs, but that is not the whole story.

    The following records were broken in the match:

    Three Centuries in one inning

    Three centuries were scored by South Africa’s side, a first in the history of the World Cup, and only the fourth time in the history of ODI cricket that three centuries have been scored in one innings. Three out of four times this feat has been done by South Africa and once by England.

    South African batsmen scored three centuries against West Indies in January 2015 and India in October 2015 while England scored three centuries in an innings against the Netherlands in 2022.

    Highest total in World Cup history

    South Africa set the highest total of the World Cup, putting up 428 runs for Sri Lanka to chase. Before this Australia scored 417 against Afghanistan in the 2015 World Cup.

    Read More: Indian anti-minority lawyer targets a Pakistani over fake allegations

    Highest total of both innings

    A total of 754 runs was scored by both Sri Lanka and South Africa. Previous highest total from both teams was 714 which was scored in a match between Australia and Bangladesh.

    Fastest century from any player

    Aiden Markram scored the fastest century of the ICC World Cup, taking only 49 balls. Kevin’O Brien had previously scored a century in 50 balls against England in the 2011 World Cup.

  • Release political opponents, urges Maulana

    Release political opponents, urges Maulana

    In a recent address at the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F) social media convention in Peshawar, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of JUI-F, conveyed his desire to see imprisoned politicians released from incarceration.

    He emphasized that political parties need to direct their attention towards internal and external challenges faced by Pakistan.

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed his reluctance to organize public gatherings against his incarcerated political opponents, stating that such actions do not befit the current circumstances.

    Addressing the return of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman encouraged the nation to welcome him.

    He criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, asserting that his governance had led the country into an economic crisis. He also pointed out that the pending court cases against the PTI leader could result in his disqualification, preventing him from participating in future elections.

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman further highlighted the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) announcement of elections in January, asserting that holding elections is a constitutional right.

  • India receives e-mail threat of bomb blast to blowup PM Modi, Narinder Modi Stadium

    India receives e-mail threat of bomb blast to blowup PM Modi, Narinder Modi Stadium

    Indian police have received an email threatening to blow up Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his namesake stadium in Ahmedabad.

    According to Indian media, the email, sent by a terrorist group, threatened to blow up Indian PM Narendra Modi and the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad with bombs.

    The terrorists reportedly demanded 500 crore INR (Indian Rupees) as ransom and the release of gangster Ravi Bishnoi.

    People have been deployed to attack the Narendra Modi stadium, the email reportedly said, adding that the Prime Minister will also be attacked.

    Indian police have said that they have received the email from the National Investigation Agency, and have issued an alert to all security agencies including NIA Ahmedabad.

    Read More: Why is India hosting the World Cup with empty stadiums?

    Indian police said while trying to trace the ID from which the email was sent, it seemed that the email came from Europe. The police say that they will review security for the upcoming matches of the World Cup, and if necessary, increase it.

    Indian police have blamed Khalistan Tehreek leader Gurptunt Singh Pannu for threatening to attack during World Cup matches

  • How much will the cricket team earn under new contract?

    How much will the cricket team earn under new contract?

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a much anticipated central contract on Wednesday. This central contract will run for three years from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026 in which 25 players will be offered a deal. According to PCB, match fees have been hiked by 12.5% for T20, 25% for ODI (One Day International) and 50% for test matches. The salaries of Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi increased by 200% according to the new central contract.

    All players included in the central contract are divided into four categories.

    A category:
    Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi are placed in category A. They will get Rs 6 million per month according to the new central contract.

    B category:
    Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Haris Rauf, Muhammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, and Nasim Shah are placed in category B. They will get Rs 4.1 million per month.

    C category:
    Abdullah Shafiq and Imad Wasim are placed in the C category where they will get Rs 1.75 million per month.

    D category:
    Iftikhar Ahmed, Hassan Ali, Fahim Ashraf, Muhammad Haris, Ihsanullah, Wasim Jr, Saim Ayub, Shahnawaz Dahani, Agha Salman, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shan Masood, Usama Mir, Saud Shakeel and Muhammad Zaman are placed in D category. They will get Rs 1.13 million.

    Read More: Human trafficked beggars from Pakistan arrested in alarming numbers abroad

    Remember that all players are allowed to play two foreign leagues in the season while PCB will review the player’s performance every 12 months.

  • How many Pakistanis have never eaten noodles?

    Gallup Pakistan has conducted an interesting survey on the consumption of noodles by Pakistanis.

    Originally invented in China, noodles are devoured around the world and are usually easy-to-make, especially the packaged variety.

    Gallup Pakistan has released a new poll based on public opinion, according to which a surprising 59 per cent of Pakistanis have never eaten noodles, nor do they know what it tastes like.

    However, 39 percent of Pakistanis declared noodles as their favourite dish.

  • No social media allowed for Punjab Government employees

    No social media allowed for Punjab Government employees

    The Services and General Administration Department Punjab has issued a letter to government officers restricting them from expressing their personal opinions on social media and commenting on conventional as well as social media.

    In view of the increasing trend of using social media among newly recruited government officers, the Punjab government has imposed a ban on Grade 17 officers, including assistant commissioners, on expressing their opinions on social media and media.
    The letter says that according to the civil services rules, giving statements in the media and social media based on one’s personal opinion is a violation of the rules.

    The letter says, “The young officers of PAS/PMS in BS-17, posted against various slots in the field as well as in the Secretariat, are considered as the face of the Provincial Government. However, it has been observed with grave-concern that these officers often engage themselves with social media i.e. Websites, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Microblogging, TikTok, YouTube etc, without taking into consideration of its fall out amongst public at large, especially using the social media in official capacity.”

    It further states, “Often, the views/ comments/ conduct/ personal opinion of the officers, may either harm the national security; or offend public order, decency or morality; or amount to contempt of court or defamation or incitement to an offence; or propagate sectarian creeds and capable of embarrassing the government, which is tantamount to misconduct and inefficiency under the rules.”

    It also warned that strict action will be taken against those violating the instructions.

  • ‘Comedy should be done on the expense of others’: Ahmed Ali Butt

    ‘Comedy should be done on the expense of others’: Ahmed Ali Butt

    Actor and former singer Ahmed Ali Butt has released the first episode of his podcast series ‘Excuse Me’, featuring comedian and host of ‘Hasna Mana Hai’, Tabish Hashmi. A clip from the episode is going viral in which Tabish opened up about the time he performed stand- up comedy in colleges, stating that the main purpose of such events was to pick people from crowds and mock something about them.

    “This was 2009-2010, we were all misogynist, mocking people for skin tone, body shaming them and even for short height,” remarked the comedian. “We didn’t know what we were doing was wrong.”

    To which, Ahmed Ali Butt responded that this kind of comedy was not wrong at all, elaborating:

    “I don’t think such a thing as this is wrong. Comedy is always done at the expense of others. Otherwise you shouldn’t do comedy at all.”

    Watch the complete clip here