A female researcher working with the corporate accountability campaign group SumOfUs alleged that her avatar in Meta’s virtual reality platform Horizon Worlds was sexually abused.
The report said: “A SumOfUs researcher was led into a private room at a party where she was raped by a user who kept telling her to turn around so he could do it from behind while users outside the window could see – all while another user in the room watched and passed around a vodka bottle.”
Our Metaverse researcher went from donning an oculus headset for the first time, to being virtually raped within about an hour. The SumOfUs research report, including video clips, is here: https://t.co/sjNfdzBffH(1/9) pic.twitter.com/IA9C13SkfC
SumOfUs director Vicky Wyatt, while talking to BBC, said that while the attack did not take place in real life, “it still counts, it still has a real impact on users.”
The group claims that the researcher also witnessed homophobic slurs and virtual gun violence.
Wyatt said that Meta needs to act now to deal with issues.
The metaverse is not a single place, and it is stated to include a variety of 3D virtual environments, including well-known games and virtual worlds.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Friday said that the reason for ending the party’s Azadi March was to avoid bloodshed and that no deal with the establishment took place.
“Our workers asked why we did not stage a sit-in. I am the man who staged a sit-in for 126 days. It was not difficult for me, but by the time I reached I became aware of the extent of the situation […] I knew that day that there would be bloodshed.”
میں نے 126 دن دھرنا دیا میرے لیے مشکل نہیں تھا اتنی دیر بیٹھنا جبتک یہ امپورٹڈ حکومت گھٹنے نہ ٹیک دیتی لیکن میں نے ملک کو انتشار سے بچایا کیونکہ مجھے ملک کی فکر ہے۔ چیئرمین عمران خان #آرہاہے_الیکشنpic.twitter.com/uOZ40dsJya
Khan said the people were “ready” after seeing the “terrorism” carried out by the police. “Everyone was ready to fight, some of our people were so angered by what they saw,” he said, adding that officials were instructed to brutalise protesters.
“The anger at the time, if I had staged a sit-in that day I can guarantee that there would have been bloodshed,” said Khan, adding that there was a prevailing sense of hatred against police officials.
“But the police is also ours, it is not their fault,” the PTI chairman said, blaming the government for issuing the directives. If there was violence then it would only have caused chaos in the country, said Khan.
“I think of this as a jihad. I will stand up against this as long as I am alive,” he said, reiterating that he only cared about the future of the country.
The PTI chairman again stressed his six-day ultimatum to the government for the announcement of early elections. “If they do not clearly announce a date for the elections or for the dissolution of the assemblies, I will take to the streets again. Let me make it clear, this time we will be prepared.”
Khan said he had written to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial asking whether or not the party had the right to stage a peaceful protest in a democracy.
میں نے سپریم کورٹ کے چیف جسٹس کو خط لکھا ہے کہ وہ بتائیں کہ کیا جمہوریت میں ہمیں احتجاج کا حق ہے یا نہیں؟ میں نے ملک کو انتشار سے بچانے کے لیے فیصلہ کیا اسے کوئی کمزوری نہ سمجھے، اس لیے چھ دن کا وقت دیا ہے۔ چیئرمین عمران خان #آرہاہے_الیکشنpic.twitter.com/fKPJAY6ifw
“This is the fundamental right of a citizen […] I ask our judiciary, do you think we will remain silent [like] sheep and accept all of this? If you think this, it means that we are pushing the country towards treason. If you do not allow people to stage peaceful protests, what other options do they have left?”
He said that he had written a letter to the CJP to make his position “clear”, reiterating that he would take to the streets again after six days. In six days we will find out whether or not the apex court protects our fundamental rights, he said.
The manner in which lawyers and women were forced to disembark from a bus and were “beaten”, had anyone seen something like that before, he asked.
“Which justice system allows this? The entire nation should know who stands for [their] rights and who is carrying out oppression.”
A 10-minutes standing ovation, pride, and tears of joy are what the world witnessed, as team Joyland stood tall amongst the august audience at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Joyland left its viewers beaming with joy as they revelled in the world of Saim Sadiq’s creation. A young director/writer, who with his innate creative aesthetic and passion has given a reason to people back home something to celebrate. Joyland will definitely serve as an opportunity for many to learn and aspire towards bringing the change. Pakistani cinema was in need of a moment like Joyland.
Written and directed by Saim Sadiq, Joyland represented Pakistan at Cannes. Joyland is the first Pakistani feature film to make the official selection at the festival. The film has been selected for the Un Certain Regard category. Cannes only takes in a limited number of 14 films in the category and it is a moment of immense pride for the Pakistani film industry.
Saim’s feature film is a star-studded ensemble, starring Sarwat Gilani, Salman Peerzada, Sania Saeed, Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, and Rasti Farooq. The film is produced by Sarmad Khoosat, Apoorva Guru Charan, and Lauren Mann.
Team Joyland
The Current reached out to the director Saim Sadiq, producer Sarmad Khoosat and female actor Sarwat Gilani and asked them about how they felt representing Pakistan, their work, and the journey of Joyland.
Saim, who is currently abroad, has a message for his people back home. Speaking to The Current, Saim said, “I hope people back home do watch Joyland and respond to it in the same way with love and appreciation, just like we received at Cannes.”
Saim Sadiq- Director Joyland
A creative genius when it comes to dramas and films, Sarmad Khoosat, who is the producer of Joyland, told The Current how “proud, overwhelmed, and emotional” these past few days have been for the team and him.
Khoosat while talking about Saim said, “This is Saim’s film. It is from his heart and his soul. It is many years that he has spent with this story. Right from the day he shared the story, I knew that there was a connection and truth to it which is exceptional and special.”
Selfie of Sarmad Khoosat and Saim Sadiq
Talking about his role as a producer, Khoosat said that he had not produced in a while and the journey on the other side of the camera was a little unnerving initially. But the joy he seemed to witness as the journey unfolded and seeing everything stamped on camera was rather fulfilling for Khoosat.
“It feels like a dream”, is what Khoosat said about Cannes. “I am very proud of this ensemble cast. They are truly special and what gifted actors, they are people made of dreams.”
Pakistan’s much-adored actress Sarwat Gilani spoke her heart out in her conversation with The Current. “Joyland for me means revolution for Pakistani cinema for sure. It talks about a lot of issues we hide away or feel shy to talk about.” Speaking about her director, Gilani said, “Saim is a very intelligent and a detailed-oriented person. He knew exactly what he wanted. The strings he wanted to pull in his audience’s heart, and well he was successful in doing that. I loved working with him and would look forward to working with him again. He made Joyland with a lot of responsibility and sensitivity.”
Talking about Cannes, Gilani said that it was a magical time for the team of Joyland.
Sarwat Gilani at Cannes
“It was an absolute honour to be there and represent Pakistan. And we are delighted to make history. The reception we got was unbelievable. Joyland received a 10-minute standing ovation and that in itself was a fulfilling reward for all of us,” said Gilani.
“Joyland is a call for empathy”, says Saim Sadiq. His debut film has received an overwhelming response from renowned world critics as well.
Anupama Chopra, an Indian film critic writing about Saim said that “he is keenly observant of the deep-set biases we carry and the harshness with which we judge each other”.
“Joyland remains a thoughtful, well performed and engrossing drama set in a culture that’s shifting, and not always with ease,” writes Deadline.
We only hope and wish that Joyland is given its due credit back home and people reciprocate the same love and appreciation it has given to Pakistan. We all look forward to experiencing the joy and charm of Joyland on our screens, back home in Pakistan.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif will announce a relief package soon for those who are unable to afford fuel after a massive hike imposed by the government.
This is undoubtedly an excellent news for the lower-income strata, as the recent petrol hike has weighed heavily on the inflation-stricken masses.
Finance Minister Miftah Ismail announced last night a gigantic increase in the price of oil products in an attempt to reestablish the International Monetary Fund (IMF) plans to assist the country’s fragile economy.
The decision was made in light of IMF guidelines, which required the removal of oil subsidies in order to restart Pakistan’s much-needed programme. On a talk show, Miftah Ismail slammed former Prime Minister Imran Khan for his contract with the IMF.
“Imran Khan promised the IMF a Rs30 levy and a 17.5% sales tax on petroleum products,” he explained.
The government is losing Rs120 billion per month as a result of Imran Khan’s unilateral decision to provide petrol subsidies, according to the finance minister.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had to make a difficult choice. However, he will announce a relief package for those who cannot afford high fuel prices in his address to the nation today,” Ismail added.
According to Miftah, the government has already stated that the IMF programme will not begin unless petroleum subsidies are eliminated.
Miftah Ismail voiced concerns about losing political capital as a result of the current decision to raise fuel prices, saying, “honestly telling you, we have admitted that by deciding on hiking fuel prices, we will suffer politically, but this is our country, and we will sacrifice to fix its issues”.
Ismail acknowledged that the current increase in gasoline prices will shift the burden to the masses and increase inflation.
Miftah dismissed the possibility of a default, saying, “I’m guaranteeing two things: the IMF programme will be restored, and Pakistan will not go bankrupt”.
Bollywood’s A-list director Karan Johar ringed in his grand 50th birthday this week in style. The K3G filmmaker has organised a lavish celebration for the entire film fraternity.
The entire evening has a visual feast, with many prominent celebrities arriving looking stunning and eager to party.
Salman Khan turned heads and made our hearts flutter with his dapper look. He wore a leather jacket with washed blue jeans one of the best attires ever.
Lovebirds Tara Sutaria and Aadar Jain made for a very stylish couple as they reached Karan Johar’s grand birthday bash. Tara went for a gorgeous white traditional attire and Aadar looked smart in a tuxedo.
Gorgeous leading ladies of 1990s were a sight to behold at Johar’s birthday bash. The trio went for formal wear and rocked it. While Sonali and Twinkle opted for a pant-suit attire, Tabu looked like a diva in a blue saree.
Bollywood’s beauties Madhuri Dixit, Raveena Tandon and Juhi Chawla put their best fashion foot forward and looked stunning at Karan Johar;s mega bash.
The celebrity guests oozed major outfit goals.
Even Vaani Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao were in attendance at Karan Johar’s mega birthday bash. While Kapoor turned up the heat in her glittery blue gown, Rao looked dashing in his glittery tuxedo.
His best friend Kajol shared an adorable selfie with the birthday boy. Saif Ali Khan and Raveena Tandon were seen happily grinning for a fun selfie moment.
Bollywood coupled absolutely glammed up the grand birthday bash. We spotted Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi, Riteish Deshmukh with Genelia D’Souza and also Sussanne Khan with Arslan Goni.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern paid homage to former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in an address at Harvard University.
“In June 1989, the Prime Minister of Pakistan stood on this spot and delivered the commencement address titled ‘Democratic nations must unite‘. She spoke about her journey, the importance of citizenry, representative government, human rights, and democracy,” said Jacinda while talking about Benazir.
“I met Benazir Bhutto in Geneva in June of 2007. We both attended a conference that drew together progressive parties from around the world. Just seven months, later she was assassinated.”
“There will be opinions and differing perspectives written about all of us as political leaders. Two things that history will not contest about Benazir Bhutto: she was the first Muslim female Prime Minister elected in an Islamic country, when a woman in power was a rare thing. She was also the first to give birth in office.”
“The second and only other leader to have given birth in office almost 30 years later was me,” added the New Zealand prime minister.
During the address she also revealed that her daughter, Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford, was born on Benazir’s birthday, i.e. June 21.
“I read those words as I sat in my office in Wellington, New Zealand. A world away from Pakistan. And while the reasons that gave rise for her words then were vastly different, they still ring true.”
“Democracy can be fragile,” said Ardern.
“This imperfect but precious way that we organise ourselves, that has been created to give equal voice to the weak and to the strong, that is designed to help drive consensus — it is fragile.”
“For years it feels as though we have assumed that the fragility of democracy was determined by duration. That somehow the strength of your democracy was like a marriage – the longer you’d been in it, the more likely it was to stick.”
Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman shared the video and wrote, “Thank u Prime Minister Ardern.”
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to collect Rs7.2 trillion in taxes in the upcoming budget, with personal income tax (PIT) and GST harmonisation being prioritised.
“Discussions are ongoing as the FBR pitched up its tax collection target in the range of Rs6.9 trillion, but the IMF insists on stretching the FBR’s tax collection target in the range of Rs7.2 trillion in the coming budget for 2022-23,” top official sources confirmed on May 26.
When contacted for comment, FBR Chairman Asim Ahmed stated that work in this area was still ongoing.
Total tax collection would be expanded to Rs7.2 trillion in the upcoming budget, up from Rs5.9 to Rs6 trillion in the previous fiscal year, according to revised estimates. The government was also having difficulty meeting its non-tax revenue target for the current fiscal year because the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) did not provide its estimated Rs200 billion quarterly profit to the Ministry of Finance following the passage of the new SBP Amendment Act 2022. This sum may be provided in the next fiscal year, but the SBP found it difficult to provide it before June 30, 2022.
Personal income tax (PIT) would be markedly restructured, with the taxable cap likely to be raised from the present level of 0.6 million to Rs1-1.2 million, and the amount of slabs lowered from 13 to six. The IMF also suggested significantly raising tax rates.
Former Finance Minister Dr. Hafiz A Pasha stated that the maximum tax rate was imposed on an annual income ceiling of Rs 5 million, which was 300 per cent higher than Pakistan’s per capita income. He proposed that those earning Rs20 million or more per year be subject to the full tax rate.
He furthermore recommended that the duration and rate of capital gains on stock shares be assessed and modified in order to collect more taxes.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif will announce a relief package for the poor in an address to the nation today (Friday).
According to media reports, PM will explain the government’s decision to remove subsidies on petroleum products and also take the nation into confidence over the prevailing economic situation in Pakistan.
Last night, the government announced a massive hike of up to Rs30 in the prices of petroleum products for the revival of the $6 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programme.
Lambasting the Shehbaz Sharif-led government for the hike in petrol prices, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said that the nation would “suffer another massive dose of inflation at the hands of this cabal of crooks”.
Nation starting to pay price for Imported govt’s subservience before foreign masters with 20% / Rs30 per litre hike in petrol & diesel prices – the highest single price hike in our history.The incompetent & insensitive Govt has not pursued our deal with Russia for 30% cheaper oil
Meanwhile, Pakistan Business Council has supported the government’s decision.
The decision to partially withdraw the general subsidy on fuel is belated but a step in the right direction to stem the pressure on the twin accounts. What about a conservation drive? Reduced work week, WFH? 1 day/week saves $167 M/month with no political fallout. @MiftahIsmail
— The Pakistan Business Council (@ThePBC_Official) May 26, 2022
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s ‘Haqiqi Azadi March’ cost the government Rs149 million to maintain law and order in the capital, reports Dawn.
The amount of Rs149 million was demanded to bear expenses for five days. Rs47,500,000 was sought for hiring 380 containers (each costing Rs125,000 for five days use), Rs1,300,000 for four cranes (each costing Rs65,000 for five days) and Rs1,000,000 for four fork lifters (each for Rs50,000 for five days).
Likewise, Rs2,798,500 for 100 buses for transportation of the force from outside to the capital (each costing Rs27,985), Rs9794,750 for 350 buses for transportation of the force within capital (Rs27985 each), Rs2,798,500 for 100 buses for transportation of the force back to their respective districts (Rs27,985 each), Rs1,685,000 for 100 trucks for logistics teams, food, water (for five days and each costing Rs16,850), Rs260,000 for 10 water tankers for five days (each costing Rs26,000).
Moreover, an amount of Rs41,250,000 was also demanded for food charges for 15,000 officials of the capital and other district police for five days, the officers said. To purchase complete anti-riot kits, another amount of Rs35,300,000 was demanded.
Similarly, Rs4,500,000 were sought for the purchase of miscellaneous items – water, coolers, torches, electricity, etc.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif while speaking in the National Assembly praised the capital police, Rangers, Frontier Constabulary, and the traffic police along with the capital administration and other departments for their efforts to maintain law and order and for the protection of public and private property.
He also announced a package for a martyr and injured officials of the Punjab Police.
American actor Kevin Spacey has been charged with four counts of sexual assault against three men, Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said on Thursday.
House Of Cards star was also charged with one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent, the CPS said.
The charges relate to two alleged incidents in London in 2005, another two in 2008, and a further incident in Gloucestershire, western England, in 2013.
The alleged victim of the 2005 incidents is now in his 40s, while the two men allegedly involved in the 2008 and 2013 incidents are now in their 30s, London’s Metropolitan Police said.
The decision to charge Spacey “follows a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police Service in its investigation,” the force said.
While the charges were authorized on Thursday, Spacey is not currently in England or Wales and the charges cannot formally be applied until he enters one of those countries, a CPS spokesperson told CNN.
The agency did not comment on whether it would be seeking Spacey’s extradition if he does not do so.
