Author: newsdesk

  • New York City co-names street ‘Allama Iqbal Avenue’ in honor of Pakistani National Poet

    New York City co-names street ‘Allama Iqbal Avenue’ in honor of Pakistani National Poet

    In the run-up to Pakistan’s Independence Day, an avenue in New York City has been co-named “Allama Iqbal Avenue”.

    The honor recognizes Allama Iqbal, an international icon and symbolic figure of Pakistani nationhood, who was instrumental in envisioning a separate homeland for the Muslims of the Subcontinent — a dream that was realized in 1947.

    Ambassador Masood Khan lauded the development, extending his congratulations to Ali Rashid, the President of the American-Pakistani Advocacy Group (APAG), for his leadership in this initiative.

    “Naming an avenue after our national poet in such a globally renowned city not only cements Pak-US ties but is also a source of pride for the Pakistani diaspora across the United States,” Khan said.

    Adrienne Adams, Speaker of the New York City Council, expressed her honor at celebrating the co-naming of the avenue as “Allama Iqbal Avenue” as Pakistan’s Independence Day approaches. She paid tribute to Iqbal’s work and vision that led to the creation of Pakistan and recognized the vibrant Pakistani community’s contributions to the cultural fabric of New York City.

  • Natalie Portman separates from husband Benjamin Millipied after 11 years

    Natalie Portman separates from husband Benjamin Millipied after 11 years

    Oscar winning actress Natalie Portman and her husband, professional ballet dancer Benjamin Millipied, are separating after being married for 11 years, after rumors surfaced that Millipied was having an affair with climate activist Camille Étienne.

    US Weekly has reported that the couple had been trying to work on their marriage since the ‘Jackie’ actress discovered his affair, for the sake of their two children.

    A source to the publication revealed that Portman was ‘humiliated’ by the rumors but was trying to work it out and stay together after Millipied said he regretted his actions.

    The two met on the set of the thriller ‘Black Swan’, with Portman being taught ballet by Millipied.

    “I met my husband on it, so I think I was in, like, dreamland,” Portman spoke during a SiriusXM Town Hall interview in 2018. “He was teaching me to dance. You know, one of those romantic [stories] … It was definitely exciting and fun. It was beautiful. I don’t know about instant. It was like I really got to know him and that was when it seemed like, ‘Oh this is the person.’”

  • Accusations of sexual assault, blackmail leveled against two professors in DG Khan

    Accusations of sexual assault, blackmail leveled against two professors in DG Khan

    Trigger warning: Sexual assault

    A young girl has complained of being sexually assaulted and blackmailed by two male teachers at Ghazi University in Dera Ghazi Khan.

    The details of the incident were shared by Geo News on Tuesday, after a video of the victim started circulating on social media. In the video, the girl states the names of two physics teachers from her university, who “kept her in the hostel with them overnight”.

    She added that the suspects are now blackmailing her younger sister and if action is not taken against them, she would self-immolate.

    Later the university responded to the video, clarifying that the case is four months old and the suspects have been suspended. The university further added that the video statement is now being used by those teachers in the university against whom inquiries are going on for malpractice cases on campus. This video has been made viral by them, at a time when admissions are on the rise to tarnish the reputation of the university, the statement claimed.

    The university also shared an image of an official notice, dated May 5, 2023, which stated that the two implicated professors, Dr. Zafar Wazir and Dr. Khalid Mehmood Ur Rehman, have been suspended from their duties.

  • ‘Shah Rukh Khan, 365 days star Michele Morrone wanted to work with me’: Meera

    ‘Shah Rukh Khan, 365 days star Michele Morrone wanted to work with me’: Meera

    Lollywood superstar Meera was recently a guest on the celebrity talk show ‘Hasna Mana Hai’. While speaking about her career and the challenges she faced, the ‘Baji’ actress revealed that not one, but two A-list actors had wanted to star her in their movies! It was Shah Rukh Khan, the actress claimed, who wanted to cast her in the film ‘Jab tak Hai Jaan’ before he eventually went with Katrina Kaif. However, the offer couldn’t work out because Meera wasn’t able to secure a visa to London.

    Then the other A-lister was the ‘365 days’ Italian actor Michele Morrone, who had reached out to Meera to do a film together.She confirmed on the show that the two are planning to do a film together once his current projects finish:

    “Yes, for work…He said, ‘Let’s work together.’ Once his current projects finish, we will work together professionally, God willing.”

    Meera has been the butt of misogynist and elitist jokes in the past because of her limited English speaking skills, among other absurd reasons, but the actress revealed she doesn’t let this backlash shatter her self-confidence or her resilience:

     “If you wish to be successful or live a peaceful life, you must forget about what people will say…If you love me, what does my age, personal life, or past have to do with it?” she declared.

    However, the actress said after living a public life, she now prefers to remain out of the news, humorously answering a question from an audience member:

    “When I was in the news, people had objections that I’m constantly in the news, always on television. Now that I’m not in the news, how do you feel now?” She continued, “Those in print media would write, ‘Learn the talent of staying in the news from Meera Jee.’”

  • PIA’s privatisation plan gets nod from Cabinet Committee

    PIA’s privatisation plan gets nod from Cabinet Committee

    In a significant development aimed at reviving the fortunes of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) has given its unanimous approval for the privatisation of the national carrier. The decision was reached during a recent session of the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation, chaired by Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar.

    The meeting deliberated on a proposal presented by the Privatisation Commission, advocating for the inclusion of Pakistan International Airlines Co. Ltd. (PIACL) in the ongoing privatisation programme. After thorough consideration and following a crucial amendment in the parliamentary law, the CCoP decided to formally incorporate Pakistan International Airlines Co. Ltd. (PIA) into the list of active privatisation projects.

    A significant aspect of the meeting’s agenda was the Privatisation Division’s detailed presentation on the progress of the Roosevelt Hotel’s privatisation. The Cabinet Committee on Privatisation engaged in an extensive discussion and subsequently granted its consent to the Privatisation Commission’s plan to appoint a Financial Adviser. This Financial Adviser will play a pivotal role in structuring and facilitating transactions related to the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, an asset owned by PIA Investment Limited (PIA-IL).

    Highlighting the urgent need for corrective action, Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique had previously issued a stark warning regarding PIA’s financial trajectory. If immediate measures were not undertaken, the airline could potentially incur staggering losses amounting to Rs259 billion by the year 2030. Minister Rafique stressed that the transfer of administrative control to the private sector, along with the injection of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), was essential to mitigate these looming financial challenges.

    In pursuit of this objective, Minister Rafique tabled “The Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (Conversion) (Amendment) Bill, 2023” before the Senate. The proposed amendment to Section 3 of the bill seeks to redefine the ownership and privileges of the company’s shareholders. Additionally, the bill empowers the Federal Government to issue fresh shares or cancel existing ones, further facilitating the necessary structural changes.

    Despite the bold vision presented by Minister Rafique, the bill encountered resistance within the Senate. While emphasising the potential benefits of FDI and private sector involvement, the bill’s proponents faced opposition from certain Senators. In light of these differing perspectives, the Senate Chairman has referred the matter to the relevant standing committee for further deliberation.

    As Pakistan International Airlines embarks on this transformative journey towards privatisation, the nation awaits the outcome of these critical discussions, cognizant of the substantial implications for both the airline industry and the country’s economic landscape.

  • Loch Ness Monster quest embarks on its largest search

    A significant high-tech quest is about to launch in Scotland with the aim of unearthing the enduring mystery of the Loch Ness Monster, as reported by BBC.

    The search, slated for August 26 and 27, marks the most considerable effort since the extensive study carried out by the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau in 1972.

    The Loch Ness Centre and a group of passionate volunteers collectively known as Loch Ness Exploration are spearheading the ambitious project, aiming to utilize cutting-edge technology, including drones equipped with infrared cameras and hydrophones for detecting unusual underwater sounds.

    The use of these high-tech tools in the pursuit of the mythical creature, popularly known as Nessie, signifies a level of sophistication not seen in previous searches. Volunteers will also watch from safe vantage points onshore, scanning the water for any signs of the reputed beast.

    Interest in the Loch Ness Monster was sparked in the 1930s when Aldie Mackay, a hotel manageress, reported seeing a creature that resembled a whale, with the loch’s water “cascading and churning” around it. Despite the absence of concrete evidence, the legend has held a firm grip on the public’s imagination, with the myth tracing its roots back to the middle ages.

    In addition to the search effort, the organizers are also offering trips on the loch during the month’s investigation for those willing to participate in this intriguing quest.

  • IHC to hear PTI petition about Imran Khan’s transfer to Adiala Jail

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will hear a petition asking that former Prime Minister Imran Khan be transferred from Attock Jail to Adiala Jail after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman was sentenced to three years incarceration in the Tosha Khana case.

    IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq will hear the petition today. Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had filed a petition in the IHC to transfer Imran Khan from Attock Jail to Adiala Jail to get A-class facilities.

    “Keeping in view the petitioner’s social and political status, his education, and his being accustomed to a better living style, the Petitioner was entitled to A-Class facilities in terms of Rule 243 read with Rule 248 of the Pakistan Prison Rules,” the petition read.

    It is also requested in the plea that personal physicians and family members be allowed to meet him.

    Imran Khan’s lawyer said on Monday, after meeting his client in jail, that Imran Khan has been kept in an unhygienic and suffocating environment. However, he stressed that Khan’s morale was high.

  • Robots tell UN conference they can run the world better than humans with help of AI

    Robots tell UN conference they can run the world better than humans with help of AI

    AI-powered humanoid robots stole the spotlight at a United Nations summit in Geneva, boldly claiming they could run the world more efficiently than humans. These robots, like Sophia from Hanson Robotics and Ameca with a lifelike artificial head, gathered at the AI for Good Global Summit, where around 3,000 experts aimed to figure out how AI could tackle big problems like climate change and social care.

    While the robots proudly touted their knack for crunching unbiased data, they also recognised that humans bring the emotional smarts and creativity needed for making smart decisions. The summit made history by hosting a news conference with a panel of AI-enabled humanoid social robots, a first-of-its-kind event.

    The UN’s ITU tech agency, which organised the summit, also highlighted the downsides of rushing into AI without caution. Job losses and social unrest are concerns, the agency warned. The robots had mixed views on whether there should be global rules for AI. Some urged careful discussions about rules, while others were all about embracing the potential without holding back.

    However, these robots, despite their impressive abilities, confessed that they can’t quite grasp human emotions yet. They admitted that human feelings, like joy and pain, are a mystery to them. Although they understand that emotions matter, they made it clear that they can’t really share those feelings.

    This conference shone a light on the exciting possibilities and tough challenges of AI’s growth. It started conversations about using AI in ways that make sense and don’t cause harm to our society. As AI keeps getting smarter, these humanoid robots remind us that we need to be smart about how we use it in our world.

  • No shower in washroom aur kamra bhe woh jahan Sazai-e-maut kay qaidiun ko rakha jata hai: Imran Khan’s lawyer reveals details of his cell

    No shower in washroom aur kamra bhe woh jahan Sazai-e-maut kay qaidiun ko rakha jata hai: Imran Khan’s lawyer reveals details of his cell

    Naeem Panjutha, former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s lawyer, has revealed on Monday details of the conditions in which his client is being incarcerated.

    After meeting Khan in Attock district jail, the lawyer said that the behaviour of the jail administration was not satisfactory. He said that Imran Khan is living in a very small jail cell, while the washroom has no shower.

    Naeem Panjutha stated that Imran Khan has been kept in a very unhygienic and suffocating environment. However, Imran Khan was happy with PTI’s victory in Peshawar against JUI-F, the lawyer narrated.

    “Imran Khan’s morale was high,” Panjutha told media personnel outside the jail.

    “If they keep me in more severe condition than this, I’m ready for this too,” Khan reportedly told his lawyer.

    Imran Khan gave a message to the nation from the Jail through his lawyer: “I will not bow down”.

    According to PTI, the police ransacked and tortured the staff in Bani Gala while attempting to arrest Imran Khan. It is also mentioned by the PTI that while arresting Imran Khan, the policeman said “Chal Saday Nal” and “Kapra Pao Aeday mun ty”.

  • Taylor Swift gives $55 million bonuses to crew behind worldwide tour

    Taylor Swift gives $55 million bonuses to crew behind worldwide tour

    Cruel Summer? Not on Taylor’s watch.

    Like the outstanding artist that she is, Taylor Swift pulled off an awesome move, becoming the boss everyone will want to work with. People Magazine has reported that the superstar has given bonuses amounting up to $55 million to the hard working crew behind her mega-popular Eras tour, which is set to earn around $1 billion in sales, according to CNBC.

    The ‘Anti-Hero’ singer reportedly gave truck drivers around $100,000 each ahead of the concert stop in Santa Clara. Bonuses were handed out to dancers, sound technicians and caterers working on the tour.

    An account has shared a picture of the hand-written note the singer gave to her truck drivers.