Author: newsdesk

  • ‘It wasn’t easy’: Sajal Aly expresses gratitude after Sinf-e-Aahan receives multiple Lux Style award nominations

    ‘It wasn’t easy’: Sajal Aly expresses gratitude after Sinf-e-Aahan receives multiple Lux Style award nominations

    The nominations for the prestigious Lux Style Awards have been announced a few days ago, and among the nominated dramas was ‘Sinf-e-Ahan’, starring Sajal Aly, Syra Yousaf, Kubra Khan, Ramsha Khan. The series, directed by Nadeem Baig, was praised by audience for exploring the issue of women empowerment.

    It received several nominations including Best Ensemble Play (Critic’s Choice), Best TV Play (Viewer’s Choice), Best TV Play Writer (Critic’s Choice) for Umera Ahmed, Best TV Director (Critic’s Choice) for Nadeem Baig, Best TV Actor (Critic’s Choice) for Sajal Aly, and Best Emerging Talent (Critic’s Choice) for Dananeer Mobeen.

    Taking to her Instagram account, Sajal Aly reacted to the nominations by expressing gratitude, sharing how the project wasn’t easy. She also wished good luck to the rest of the team for the awards:

    “This project wasn’t easy for anyone. When Sana Shahnawaz called me, I knew I am playing this character without even reading my part,” reflected the ‘Kuch Ankahi’ actor.

    The actress went on to thank the director Nadeem Baig and the producers and rest of the cast for their commendable effort to make this show succeed.

    Sinf-e-Aahan is the story of seven women from diverse backgrounds of Pakistan who each decide to join the Pakistan Army and prove their critics wrong, who assume they won’t be able to handle such an intense environment. Sajal Aly’s character Rabia Safeer, longs to do something exceptional with her life rather than wait around for a marriage proposal, and decides to take the test of the Pakistan Armed Forces selection process to join the military.

  • Palestinian and Israeli women come together for peace

    Palestinian and Israeli women come together for peace

    Hundreds of Palestinian and Israeli women rallied in the occupied West Bank to demand an end the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

    According to foreign media, the protesters were chanting “We want peace.”

    Many women wore white dresses and carried placards that read “Stop killing our children.”

    On this occasion, a Palestinian woman said, “We want our children to live instead of dying.”

    Palestinian activist and director of the Alliance for Middle East Peace NGO Huda Abu Arqoub said that this is the first association between Israeli and Palestinian women on an equal footing.

    According to Arab media, at least 243 Palestinians and 32 Israelis have been killed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict so far this year.

  • Everything you need to know about World Cup trophy’s history, material, and worth

    Everything you need to know about World Cup trophy’s history, material, and worth

    The war between the top 10 teams of the world to win the Cricket World Cup 2023 trophy is starting on Thursday, October 5.

    From 1975 to 2019, World Cup competitions were held 12 times, and 6 teams won the trophy, including Australia (5 times), West Indies (2 times), India (2 times), Pakistan (1) Sri Lanka (1) and England (1).

    The World Cup trophy has a history as old as the event itself. This trophy has been changed many times.

    The first 3 World Cups had the same trophy

    From 1975 to 1983, all events were held in England. All three World Cup events were sponsored by a company called Prudential Insurance, which is why the trophy was named the Prudential Cup Trophy. It is a trophy similar to the Wimbledon trophy and is now housed at the Cricket Museum at Lord’s.

    The trophy was changed for the first time in 1987

    In 1987, this tournament was held in the subcontinent. Reliance Industries sponsored the World Cup and a gold-plated trophy, studded with diamonds, was made for the event and named the Reliance World Cup. The cost of this trophy was 6 lakh Indian rupees at that time which is equivalent to 80 lakh Indian rupees now.

    1992 trophy

    The 1992 trophy was one of the best and most unique ones. It is considered to be the most beautiful World Cup trophy ever designed. This trophy, a globe, was made of crystal, and was named after sponsor Benson & Hedges. GBP 8,000 were spent on its preparation. It is currently housed in the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

    1996 trophy

    The tournament was again held in Pakistan and India but this time Sri Lanka was also playing host along while Wills Company sponsored the event. This was the reason the trophy was named Wills World Cup.

    From 1999 till now

    For the 1999 World Cup, the ICC decided that a single trophy should be created for all future events. The International Cricket Council (ICC) contacted the British company Jarrad & Co, which manufactured the trophy that is now in use.

    Read More: Naseem Shah undergoes surgery for shoulder injury

    What is the trophy made of and what is it worth?

    The cup weighs around 11 kg and is 60 cm long, costing USD 30,000 to make. This trophy is made of silver and gold with a golden globe on top and 3 silver pillars that look like wickets. At the bottom of this World Cup trophy, the names of the teams that have won this event so far are listed, while there is also a space for writing the names of the teams that will win upcoming World Cup events in the future.

    Now, the team that wins the event is awarded a replica trophy that is the same as the original but does not have the names of the previous champions at the bottom.

    The actual trophy is kept at the ICC (International Cricket Council) head office in Dubai.

  • Eight hours of gas supply this season too: Caretaker Federal Minister of Energy

    Eight hours of gas supply this season too: Caretaker Federal Minister of Energy

    The Caretaker Federal Minister of Energy, Muhammad Ali, has said that gas load-shedding will continue this year, similar to last year when gas was supplied for eight hours a day.

    This year, natural gas has reduced by 30 per cent whereas the demand is high and supply is low.

    In a statement, he highlighted that two LNG cargoes have been purchased to meet the shortage of gas in winter.

    Additionally, he pointed out that Rs16 billion have been recovered from power thieves so far.

  • Wedding hall staff installs camera in bridal changing room

    Wedding hall staff installs camera in bridal changing room

    Farid Town police in Sahiwal have arrested the manager and assistant manager of a wedding marquee at 96/6-R village, for reportedly installing hidden cameras in the bridal dressing room.

    Complainant Muhammad Arshad from 94/6-R village had booked his daughter’s wedding at Grand Imperial Marriage Hall on September 1, 2023.

    DAWN has reported that the man said that when his daughter went into the dressing room to change, she and her mother heard voices through the walls.

    Arshad’s wife informed him about it after which, along with his son Ali Akbar and cousin Tariq Hussain, he went to the adjacent room only to find a video recording setup connected with the camera capturing the activities of the bridal room.

    A man pointed a gun at them, while the manager and his assistant escaped the premises.
    He called the police on 15 helpline after which the manager and his assistant, Umer Iqbal and Javed Munir, were arrested.

    A case (FIR No 1495/23) has been registered against both the suspects and their accomplice who had pointed a pistol at the complainant, under sections 292 and 506/B of the PPC on the complaint of Arshad.

    Arshad has demanded that the district police officer conduct an investigation, and recover all the videos made by the suspects because they might have or could use it to blackmail and exploit women.

  • Chinese company shows interest in buying K-Electric for $1.77 billion

    Chinese company shows interest in buying K-Electric for $1.77 billion

    In a recent development, China’s state-owned Shanghai Electric Power (SEP) has reiterated its interest in acquiring the shares of Karachi’s sole power company, K-Electric, with a renewed offer of $1.77 billion.

    According to Shan Abbas Ashari, the investment advisor of the Saudi group Al-Jomaih Power Limited, a major shareholder of K-Electric, the Saudi group has indicated the possibility of selling its shares at a price of $2 billion.

    Ashari stated that a deal with Shanghai Electric, involving the acquisition of K-Electric shares, is set to be rekindled. He mentioned that SEP had initially proposed the $1.77 billion offer to acquire K-Electric several years ago, and this offer would now be revisited.

    Ashari highlighted the growing electricity demand in Karachi, which should have already reached 5,000 MW. He emphasised that this demand could further increase if all industries were integrated into the company’s grid.

    Moreover, Ashari emphasised that Pakistan stands as an ideal investment destination for Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries due to its rapidly expanding population, distinguishing it from Europe.

    However, he acknowledged that investors from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait faced challenges following the K-Electric deal. Stay tuned for further updates on this significant investment development.

  • Apple faces competition as Google releases Pixel 8 and AI-powered smartwatch

    Apple faces competition as Google releases Pixel 8 and AI-powered smartwatch

    The Apple iPhone 15 series now faces fresh competition as Google introduced its latest smartphone, the Pixel 8, on Wednesday, alongside a new smartwatch that seamlessly integrates advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology into its core consumer devices.

    The enhancements made to the Pixel phones, which are particularly popular among photography enthusiasts and those who prefer a pure Android experience, have the potential to make them more appealing to shoppers as they plan their holiday season purchases.

    Google has upgraded the Pixel lineup by equipping it with the Tensor G3 mobile processor, which includes native machine learning and generative AI models. These AI features can assist users in various ways, such as improving photography, summarising web content, and blocking unwanted spam calls. This announcement was made during the Made by Google event held in New York.

    Additionally, the higher-end Pixel 8 Pro now features a temperature sensor, and Google has applied for approval from the Food and Drug Administration to enable a thermometer app for measuring body temperature.

    The Pixel 8 is priced starting at $699, while the Pixel 8 Pro starts at $999, making it $100 more expensive than the previous generation models. Both models will be available for purchase starting on October 12th.

    At the event, Google emphasized its commitment to mobile AI, a direction that IDC analyst Ryan Reith noted could have a significant impact on the industry, especially in the US, if accompanied by strong marketing efforts.

    Notably, in the previous month, Apple launched a new series of iPhones that included improvements in design and performance but did not increase prices, reflecting the ongoing challenges in the global smartphone market.

    According to IDC, Google’s Pixel ranks 12th globally in terms of smartphone shipments, holding a 0.9 per cent market share. The largest market for Pixel devices is the United States, accounting for approximately 39 per cent of global shipments, followed by Japan at 29 per cent and the UK at 9 per cent.

    In addition to the smartphone and smartwatch announcements, Google also revealed plans to integrate generative AI capabilities into its virtual assistant, enabling it to assist users with tasks like trip planning and email management while also asking follow-up questions.

    Furthermore, Google introduced the Google Watch 2, an upgraded version of its first smartwatch released in October of the previous year. It is priced at $349 and comes with a digital crown and advanced health tracking features powered by AI.

  • Mahira’s childhood friend recounts how she got the couple together

    Mahira’s childhood friend recounts how she got the couple together

    After superstar Mahira Khan shared pictures of her intimate wedding ceremony to Salim Karim, an influx of celebrities, including Bollywood stars like Sonam Kapoor, sent their blessings and happy wishes to the gorgeous couple. Fashion brand founder Feeha-Noor Jamshed also sent her blessings to the happy bride, sharing how she “manifested” their union.

    In a post shared on her Instagram stories, Feeha posted a short video of Mahira and Salim’s wedding, stating that she vouched for Salim’s character.

    “…to this beautiful couple who are in every way the best partners I have seen in the longest time. To the man I vouched for 8 years ago, to the woman I call my sister. Because… ‘I wanted the best for My best..’

    Somewhere in those years I had manifested this union ..to witness the magic of their love and especially their union can’t be described in words. I leave you to feel…

    to this incredible woman I called my sister and this beautiful man I love I now can proudly call my brother.

    May you look back 30-40 years down the line, old and wrinkly but young in love. May all the moments you weave in the coming years make your hearts smile and soul dance. Ameen.”

    In her next post, Feeha shared a picture of Mahira along with her son Azlan, lauding the actress for raising a good person:

    “..I’ve told her this before…the best role she’s ever played and will ever play is that of a mother. Azlan is an extension of her.. and my nephew is the fienst of men I have ever encountered..he stands so proud next to his mama welcoming one of the finest men I have seen in a while..to my Zanu (azlan), Mahira and Salim..may Allah’s winds take you to limitless skies & may his Noor guide you all the way.”

    Feeha has been a strong supporter of Mahira’s career over the years, with Instagram posts championing the most important moments like her film with Shah Rukh Khan ‘Raees’ for which she shared a screenshot of the two actors and wrote:

    “Dreaming is essential. You dream when you have the courage to face its manifestations. This is your gift from the universe @mahirahkhan because you dreamt and you Dream Big!
    I love you! What else can I say?”

    If there is anyone who knows who you truly are, it’s your friends who knew you since you were a child, the way Feeha knew Mahira. We’re so happy that Pakistan’s sweetheart had an incredible support system who knew what she needed in a man.

    Congratulations once more to the happy couple. We pray for them to create a safe future together.

  • Arif Alvi nay Imran Khan ka dil tor diya?

    Arif Alvi nay Imran Khan ka dil tor diya?

    Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Prime Minister, has voiced his profound disappointment and discontentment with President Dr. Arif Alvi for not yet announcing the date for upcoming elections, his sister Aleema Khan has said while talking to the press after a court appearance in Lahore.

    Aleema Khan, who has been implicated in the May 9 riots case, appeared before an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Wednesday, where her’s and former Finance Minister Asad Umar’s interim bails were extended until October 16. The judge instructed their legal representatives to present final arguments in the Jinnah House attack case.

    Aleema Khan later told the media that Imran Khan was disappointed with President Alvi’s perceived failure to fulfill his constitutional obligation of announcing an election date, especially during a critical time for the nation.

    The issue of the election date has been a subject of contention in recent times. The PTI’s core committee issued a strong statement last month, reminding President Alvi of his constitutional responsibilities and urging him to promptly announce the election date. The committee asserted that failure to do so would amount to a violation of the Constitution and the basic democratic rights of the people.

    The core committee argued that announcing the election date would bring an end to political uncertainty and chaos that had gripped the country since the “regime change conspiracy” in April 2022.

    After the court hearing, Aleema Khan addressed the media and expressed concerns about her brother’s deteriorating health. She mentioned that Imran Khan had lost a significant amount of weight and highlighted the lack of opportunities for him to exercise or even take a walk. She also expressed apprehensions about potential efforts to prolong Imran Khan’s detention in the cipher case.

    It’s worth noting that the caretaker government has emphasized that only the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has the authority to make such an announcement. Initially, President Alvi had invited Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja in an attempt to get him to agree on a date. However, Raja declined the request, asserting that only the ECP possessed the authority to announce the date, citing amendments made in the ECP Act of 2017.

    Before the amendment to Section 57(1) of the act, Raja had explained that the president was required to consult the ECP before appointing an election date. However, after the amendment, the commission was empowered to announce the date or dates for the general election, he noted.

  • Vaccine to prevent recurrence of breast cancer produces good results in trial

    Vaccine to prevent recurrence of breast cancer produces good results in trial

    A vaccine developed for an aggressive form of breast cancer is currently being tested in human clinical trials.

    If the trials are successful, the vaccine would be groundbreaking, preventing recurrence of triple-negative breast cancer, which makes up about 10% to 15% of all breast cancers and is particularly challenging to treat.

    According to an article published by John Hopkins, triple-negative breast cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer because it grows quickly and has a higher rate of recurrence — locally, in the breast area, or to other parts of the body, meaning metastasis. In fact, the risk of the cancer recurring within five years of being diagnosed is nearly three times higher in patients with triple-negative breast cancer than in those who don’t have that type of breast cancer.

    Yahoo! interviewed Jennifer Davis who is the first person to receive the vaccine as part of the clinical trial.

    Davis is a 46-year-old nurse and a mother of three living in Ohio, USA. She was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2018, undergoing a double mastectomy and several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation.

    During her follow-up appointment, she came to know about the breast cancer vaccine trial.

    The vaccine has been under development for 20 years based on research led by Vincent Tuohy, who died in January 2023, and its human trials started in October 2021.

    “My [health care] team informed me of the vaccine that Dr. Tuohy had been studying for a long time,” Davis said.

    “It’s just that kind of breast cancer — that particular type — there’s nothing I can take afterward, no tamoxifen [a hormone therapy], and recurrence is high. If it does come back, outcomes are not the greatest. So I wanted to take something — the vaccine was that for me.”

    And because Davis is a nurse she claims to understand the importance of clinical trials, adding, “That’s how we advance medicine and make changes and one day, get rid of breast cancer.”

    Chairman and chief executive officer of Anixa Biosciences, licensed to create the vaccine, Amit Kumar says that 42% of women with triple-negative breast cancer will get the cancer again within five years. “It’s typically much more aggressive, so the outcome for those women is not very good,” he tells Yahoo Life.

    The purpose of the breast cancer vaccine is to “eliminate the recurrence for those women and eventually, prevent the cancer from ever arising.”