Author: newsdesk

  • Police chief tells court Imran Riaz investigation heading in ‘right direction’

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) adjourned till next week a hearing in the Imran Riaz recovery case as the Punjab Police chief told the court that investigation is heading in “right direction”.

    Television anchor and YouTuber Imran Riaz was arrested two days after May 9 riots, following former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest. After the journalist’s arrest, he was taken to Cantt police station and then transferred to Sialkot jail.

    After this a law officer told the court on May 15 that Imran Riaz has been released from the jail after giving an undertaking in writing. His family and lawyer, however , were still not aware of his whereabouts.

    An FIR was registered against “unidentified persons” for allegedly kidnapping the journalist.
    In the previous hearing on September 6, conducted by LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti, the Punjab Inspector General (IG) Dr Usman Anwar said there was “positive progress” in the case.

    “We will give good news in the next 10 to 15 days,” he told the court. The hearing was then adjourned till today.

  • Aliens? Possibility of life on a distant planet

    Aliens? Possibility of life on a distant planet

    There is a possibility that NASA’s James Webb Telescope has discovered signs of life on a distant planet.

    BBC reports that the likelihood of life stems from the possible search for a molecule known as dimethyl sulphide (DMS) which is reportedly “only produced by life” in the case of Earth.

    The researchers, however, believe that more data is needed to confirm its presence on the planet, named K2-18b, which is 120 light years away. Prof Madhusudhan from the University of Cambridge, who led the research, deemed the discovery as “tentative” and stressed on acquiring more data for confirmation and that result is expected in a year.

    ”If confirmed, it would be a huge deal and I feel a responsibility to get this right if we are making such a big claim.”, he added.

    Researchers have also detected methane and CO2 in its atmosphere. This means that the planet also possibly has a water ocean.

    Prof Madhusudhan said that his entire team were ”shocked” when they saw the results.

    “On Earth, DMS is only produced by life. The bulk of it in Earth’s atmosphere is emitted from phytoplankton in marine environments,” he said.

    Moreover, it is the first time detecting a possible DMS presence on a planet orbiting a distant star. But the claim is being dealt with caution as a similar claim was made in 2020 regarding the presence of a molecule called phosphine. It is a molecule that could be “produced by living organisms in the clouds of Venus”. This, however, was disputed a year later.

  • Elections on Nov 6; President Alvi announces date

    Elections on Nov 6; President Alvi announces date

    President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, has announced that elections should be held on November 6, 2023, opening a new legal quagmire for the interim government.

    Despite Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kaakar’s insistence earlier this week that only Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has the right to announce a date for general elections, Dr. Alvi has chosen November 6 as the date, citing article 48(5) of the Constitution.

    Multiple journalists had reported in the past week that the President will announce the date.

  • Nobel laureate Maria Ressa acquitted in Philippines tax evasion case

    Nobel laureate Maria Ressa acquitted in Philippines tax evasion case

    Maria Ressa, Nobel prize winner and co-founder of the online news platform Rappler, has been acquitted of a tax evasion charge in the Philippines on Monday.

    This is another feat in her legal fight against a number of charges that were filed under the government of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

    “You gotta have faith,” she said outside the court.

    Ressa and Rappler have been hindered by five government charges of tax evasion after the sale of Philippine depositary receipts in 2015 — a route for companies to raise money from foreign investors.

    In January, they were acquitted on the other four charges.

    However, Maria Ressa and Rappler have two more court cases to fight.

    Ressa and Rey Santos Jr, a former colleague, have appealed for a cyber-libel conviction that carries a nearly seven-year jail sentence.

    Similarly, Rappler is challenging a Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission order to close for allegedly violating a ban on foreign ownership in media. Under the country’s constitution, investment in the media is reserved for Philippine citizens or entities controlled by citizens.

    “It shows that the court system works and we hope to see the remaining charges dismissed,” she said.
    Ressa won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 alongside Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov in recognition of their efforts to “safeguard freedom of expression“.

    Ressa is also an American national but has remained in the Philippines and is currently on bail pending the appeal against the cyber-libel conviction.

    Maria Ressa was awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize along with Dmitry Muratov for “their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.”

  • Sassur jee naraz; Shahid Afridi not happy with Shaheen Afridi’s performance against India

    Sassur jee naraz; Shahid Afridi not happy with Shaheen Afridi’s performance against India

    Pakistan cricket team’s former captain Shahid Afridi expressed disappointment at son-in-law Shaheen Afridi’s recent performance against India in a crucial match of Super 4 stage in Asia Cup 2023.

    Pakistan was defeated by a massive margin of 228 runs. Chasing the target of 357 runs, Pakistani team collapsed on 128 runs in 32 overs.

    Shahid Afridi said, “Shaheen would have to be consistent on his line and length. If you are not getting wickets in early two overs, you don’t have to be angry.”

    The senior Afraid was of the view that Shaheen should bowl on the same length as Naseem Shah. “The pitch was good for bowling but our bowling was not good,” the former captain said.

    He observed that some people were asking on social media why Pakistan had decided to bowl first. “If we ball like Naseem Shah in initial overs, the situation could have been different. Shaheen’s line and length were not good, he gets frustrated if he doesn’t get wickets in early overs because he is known as a wicket taker in the first over.”

  • There was and is only one Chairman of PTI: Shah Mehmood Qureshi still loyal to Imran

    There was and is only one Chairman of PTI: Shah Mehmood Qureshi still loyal to Imran

    Vice-chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Wednesday that there was and is only one Chairman of the party, putting to rest any speculation about his loyalty to Imran Khan.

    Appearing before a special court in Islamabad for a hearing of the cipher case, the former Foreign Minister said that Pakistan is very dear to him. “I am confident that I have never betrayed my country,” Qureshi said as he talked to media while in handcuffs.

    “The gallows are near where I am incarcerated. I am loyal to my country. If I have been disloyal, then hang me,” Qureshi told members of the press, adding that he is in solitary confinement. “I am not allowed to walk around like other prisoners are. I also eat the same food as the other prisoners, I am not allowed food from home,” he said, describing the conditions inside Adiala Jail.

    Shah Mehmood said that he met his wife and children on Tuesday. “My family is going through torture,” he commented.

    Talking about PTI chairman Imran Khan, Qureshi said that no one can replace him. “Speculation and confusion are being spread about the chairmanship of the party,” he commented.

  • State institutions should respect ECP on delimitation process and election schedule: Law Ministers

    State institutions should respect ECP on delimitation process and election schedule: Law Ministers

    The interim federal and provincial law ministers have urged all state institutions to respect the authority of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in matters related to the delimitation process and election schedule.

    The statement was issued by the law ministers after a meeting chaired by caretaker Law and Justice Minister Ahmad Irfan in Islamabad was conveyed in the form of a press release today.

    The meeting was held to discuss a matter related to the upcoming general elections in the country. The provincial law ministers, Kanwar Dilshad (Punjab), Muhammad Omer Soomro (Sindh), Arshad Hussain Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), and Amanullah Kanrani (Balochistan), attended the huddle.

    The conclusion of the important meeting was that the country’s electoral authority alone can announce the election date as per the constitution.

    “The Election Commission of Pakistan is an independent constitutional body,” the statement issued by the ministry read.

    The law ministry issued the statement a day after caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said that President Arif Alvi has no power to announce the election date.

  • iPhone 15 abandons lightning port for USB-C, complying with EU mandate 

    iPhone 15 abandons lightning port for USB-C, complying with EU mandate 

    Apple has officially revealed the iPhone 15 series, which no longer features the lightning charging port. This change was mandated by the European Union (EU). The tech giant announced this development during its annual event held on Tuesday, revealing that the iPhone 15 would adopt a USB-C cable as the new “universally accepted standard.”

    In addition to the iPhone news, Apple also introduced a new series of the Apple Watch, boasting a more advanced chip. However, some analysts noted that this year’s announcements lacked the usual “headline-grabbing” updates that Apple is known for.

    Ben Wood, an analyst from CCS Insight, commented on this, stating, “It isn’t a surprise given the maturity of the iPhone and Watch. It reflects just how refined the iPhone and Watch devices are and how tough it has become to deliver truly disruptive updates every year.”

    Apple did provide a solution for users with existing lightning port accessories by releasing a USB-C-to-lightning port adapter priced at £29 ($36). This adapter allows users to connect their legacy accessories to the new USB-C-enabled iPhones or iPads. Notably, this marks the first time since 2012 that an iPhone will feature an alternative charging port.

    The USB-C cable, already compatible with various Apple laptops and iPads, will also work with the new versions of AirPods Pro earphones and wired EarPods headphones.

    The EU had mandated that Apple transition away from its proprietary charging ports to simplify the lives of consumers, reduce costs, and promote the reuse of chargers to combat e-waste. However, some critics have voiced concerns about an increase in discarded cables in the future.

    In response to environmental considerations, Apple used its Tuesday launch event to make a series of commitments, including making the new Apple Watch range carbon neutral. They also pledged to increase the use of recycled materials in batteries and other components of the new Watch and iPhone.

    Furthermore, Apple confirmed its decision to cease using leather in any of its accessories and aims to become a carbon-neutral business by 2030.

    Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, touted the iPhone 15 as the “best and most capable iPhones we’ve ever made,” highlighting improvements such as brighter screens, enhanced camera systems, and a titanium frame for the high-end iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models.

    The Pro and Pro Max also feature an “action button” that can be customised for various functions. The new Apple Watch introduces gesture control, allowing wearers to answer or end calls with a simple double tap.

    Despite these enhancements, some experts questioned whether consumers would be willing to pay the high price tags for these devices, as they may not offer significant differences from their predecessors.

    The iPhone 15 starts at £799, while the iPhone 15 Pro begins at £999 in the UK.

  • Two women record statements against Gulshan-e-Hadeed School Principal

    Two women record statements against Gulshan-e-Hadeed School Principal

    Two women have recorded statements against the school principal accused of rape and blackmail in Gulshan-e-Hadeed area of Karachi.

    The case of alleged rape and blackmail of women by Gulshan-e-Hadeed School principal was heard in the court of the Judicial Magistrate of Malir. After physical remand was completed, police produced the school principal in the court.

    The two women also appeared in court, with the investigating officer requesting the court to record their statements.

    The investigating officer produced the Universal Serial Bus (USB) containing the videos in the court.

    The statements of both the women were recorded. One of them said that Irfan gave her a job and blackmailed her by making a video.

    The court extended the physical remand of the school principal for four days.

    Previously, the principal was taken into custody after allegations of raping and blackmailing women after videos of the rapes appeared on social media.

    The principal has reportedly admitted to raping women after promising them job opportunities, then recording their videos to blackmail them.

    Additionally, it was made known that the school was not registered with the relevant authority, functioning without any legal status. Consequently, it has been sealed.

  • Financial turmoil threatens PIA: Flight cancellations surge, salaries delayed

    Financial turmoil threatens PIA: Flight cancellations surge, salaries delayed

    The Pakistan International Airline (PIA) faces an imminent crisis, as a high-ranking official from the national carrier has issued a warning that flight operations may be suspended by September 15th if emergency funding is not promptly secured. This concerning development, as reported by Geo News, underscores the severity of the situation.

    In a statement to Geo News on Wednesday, a senior director at PIA highlighted that the operational fleet has dwindled from 23 to just 16 aircraft, resulting in the unfortunate cancellation of numerous flights. The dire financial straits of the airline have led to significant disruptions.

    Furthermore, the official revealed that renowned aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, have halted the supply of crucial spare parts to PIA due to outstanding payments. This disruption, coupled with reduced flight operations, has incurred substantial daily losses running into millions of rupees for the national airline.

    In a distressing incident, one PIA aircraft was temporarily detained at Dammam airport, while four others faced a similar situation at Dubai airport, all due to unpaid fuel bills. These aircraft were eventually permitted to depart based on written assurances from PIA, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reinstating PIA services following an emergency payment of $3.5 million.

    The official’s somber warning emphasized that without an injection of Rs23 billion in emergency funds, flight operations may face suspension by September 15th.

    In response to this critical situation, a PIA spokesperson, in a statement, assured that exhaustive efforts were underway to avert the suspension of flight operations.

    Earlier reports had indicated that PIA’s financial challenges had severely impacted its flight schedule, resulting in the cancellation of both domestic and international flights. The airline had urgently requested government intervention to provide the necessary funds, and there were also reports of unpaid salaries to PIA employees.

    This financial turmoil for PIA had previously prompted the grounding of five leased aircraft, with the possibility of grounding four more due to ongoing financial constraints. The airline had sought an emergency bailout of Rs22.9 billion, which was unfortunately rejected by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). Additionally, the ECC declined requests for the deferment of monthly payments to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

    In another setback, last month, the FBR had frozen 13 PIA bank accounts due to non-payment of Rs8 billion in Federal Excise Duty (FED), further compounding the airline’s financial woes.