Category: Uncategorized

  • Man watches ‘Bigg Boss’ as doctors perform brain surgery on him

    Man watches ‘Bigg Boss’ as doctors perform brain surgery on him

    An Indian man from Andhra Pradesh reportedly watched reality TV show Big Boss to stay awake during a brain surgery. Doctors at a private hospital in the state’s Guntur district conducted the rare and critical open-brain surgery, in which the patient had to be kept awake.

    According to reports, as the doctors performed the surgery on the 33-year-old patient named Vara Prasad, he watched Bigg Boss and the 2009 Hollywood sci-fi movie Avatar.

    While three surgeons removed a recurrent glioma (a type of tumor), the man enjoyed the show followed by the Hollywood sci-fi movie Avatar on a laptop.

    While further details of the surgery are not specified, pictures of the operation were shared on social media channels, with many users wondering how this was possible.

    However, in a similar incident, in January, Dagmar Turner, a professional violinist played her violin while undergoing a critical brain procedure.

  • Examination centres in Quetta violate COVID-19 SOPs

    Students in Quetta were forced to appear in BA and BSc examinations with no heater arrangements.

    A video doing the rounds on social media shows that no COVID-19 standard operating procedure (SOPs) were followed at the examination centers. SOPs including social distancing and wearing of masks were overlooked.

    Furthermore, very few students can be seen wearing masks in the examination center.

  • Mahira Khan, Dr Sania Nishtar among BBC’s ‘100 women of 2020’

    Mahira Khan, Dr Sania Nishtar among BBC’s ‘100 women of 2020’

    A proud moment for Pakistan as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Dr Sania Nishtar and Mahira Khan make it to BBC’s ‘100 women of 2020‘ list.

    According to BBC, the list includes “100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2020”.

    “This year 100 Women is highlighting those who are leading change and making a difference during these turbulent times,” said the publication.

    Writing about Mahira, BBC said: “Mahira Khan is no ordinary actress – she is outspoken against sexual violence, refuses to endorse skin-lightening creams and supports the fight against racism. She wants to tackle social issues in her native Pakistan by changing the narrative in films and on TV.”

    “Mahira is a national goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, raising awareness of the plight of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. She’s been a firm favourite with audiences ever since starting out as an MTV video jockey (VJ) in 2006. Mahira is also a devoted mother to her 11-year-old son,” it added.

    Mahira Khan with son Azlan

    Similarly, talking about Dr Nishtar, BBC wrote: “Dr Sania Nishtar is a leader in global health and sustainable development. Since 2018, she has been spearheading the transformative Ehsaas Poverty Alleviation programme, which has improved the livelihoods of millions of Pakistanis by providing mobile banking and savings accounts, and other basic resources.”

    “As SAPM on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Sania has helped to empower the masses by taking the necessary first steps toward the development of a welfare state in Pakistan.”

    Explaining the process behind the selection, BBC stated: “The BBC’s 100 Women team drew up a shortlist based on names gathered by them and suggested by the BBC’s network of World Service languages teams. We were looking for candidates who had made the headlines or influenced important stories over the past 12 months, as well as those who have inspiring stories to tell, achieved something significant or influenced their societies in ways that wouldn’t necessarily make the news. The pool of names was then assessed against this year’s theme – women who led change – and measured for regional representation and due impartiality before the final names were chosen.”

    The list also includes Sanna Marin, who leads Finland’s all-female coalition government, Michelle Yeoh, star of the new Avatar and Marvel films and Sarah Gilbert, who heads the Oxford University research into a coronavirus vaccine. Meanwhile, one name on the list has been left blank as a tribute to countless women “around the world who have made sacrifices to help others”.

  • Hafeez says his 12-year-old son has better game awareness than Ramiz Raja

    Hafeez says his 12-year-old son has better game awareness than Ramiz Raja

    Mohammad Hafeez’s induction into Pakistan’s squad for the New Zealand tour has led to a rift between the all-rounder and cricketer-turned-commentator Ramiz Raja.

    According to reports, the war of words got intensified after Hafeez stated that his 12-year-old son has better game awareness than Raja.

    The episode began after Ramiz Raja showed disinterest over Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) backing experienced players and not giving enough chances to the youth ahead of the upcoming men’s T20 World Cup in India.

    The former Pakistan cricketer asked senior cricketers like Hafeez to retire gracefully and give opportunity to the youngsters to showcase their skills on a stage like the upcoming World Cup.

    Disagreeing to Raja’s views, Hafeez gave a controversial statement during a conversation with Cricket Pakistan.

    “I acknowledge Ramiz [Raja] services for Pakistan cricket as a player. I respect his opinion but I have reservations over his cricketing sense and game awareness. If you talk to my 12-year-old son, even his game awareness is better than Ramiz Bhai,” Hafeez told Cricket Pakistan.

    “If Ramiz bhai wants to continue saying such things to boost his YouTube channel, then I can’t stop him but I will continue to play for Pakistan as long as I’m fit and performing,” he further added.

    Hafeez asserted that as long as he is fit and performing on the field, he deserves a place in the Pakistan dressing room.

    “If I’m unable to meet the fitness and performance standards, or believe there is a better product ready for Pakistan, I’d happily leave. I’m very satisfied with my cricketing career,” Mohammad Hafeez said.

  • No, Meesha Shafi does not want to date Babar Azam

    No, Meesha Shafi does not want to date Babar Azam

    Meesha Shafi has shut down all rumours and reports that suggested that she would like to date Captain of the Pakistan cricket team Babar Azam.

    In a story posted to her Instagram, Meesha shared a post by Babar Azam Fan Army which stated that the singer is a big fan of Azam’s, adding that Meesha would “love to date him”.

    Rubbishing the claims, Shafi wrote: “I have no idea who this is or why it exists. It makes zero sense. 100% concocted out of thin air.”

    “This quote is fabricated,” she added and requested Instagram to remove it.

    Later, Meesha also shared that she received an apology from the Instagram account that posted the news and that she now “considers this ridiculous matter closed”.

    Meanwhile, Shafi is gearing up for the 13th edition of Coke Studio and is looking forward to spinning “some musical magic” with Rohail Hyatt.

  • Looking back at Princess Diana visit to Pakistan

    Looking back at Princess Diana visit to Pakistan

    Twenty-five years ago, Princess Diana’s controversial BBC interview sent shockwaves through the royal family, in which she confessed that “there were three in the marriage”. That interview is now back in focus as season four of the hit series “The Crown” has everyone talking about the princess and her marriage. The series is featured on Diana’s character and the love triangle is one of the main storylines in the new season and the love for Diana is now renewed. Everyone wants more of the princess and for Pakistanis, how can we forget her visit to Pakistan?

    She visited Pakistan more than once in her short life period – once in 1991, and then again in 1996 and 1997. 

    Princess Diana in Pakistan: Throwback shots of Prince William's mother visiting the country in the 1990s | London Evening Standard
    Princess Diana Visiting Kinnaird College For Women In Lahore, Pakistan in September 1991

    In 1991, she made her first official solo trip to Pakistan. Her bodyguard at the time, Ken Wharfe, released a book about his experiences working for the Princess, in which he described her Pakistan tour as hugely positive.

    “The headlines screamed that Diana had taken Pakistan by storm, that her visit had been a resounding success,” wrote Wharfe, “the tabloids predictably hailed her vociferously as the jewel in the royal family’s crown”.

    Princess Diana in traditional attire during her visit to Pakistan

    Her first visit lasted four days, in which she dined with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and visited various places including Badshahi Mosque and Kinnaird College, a family welfare center in Islamabad and Khyber Rifles in Khyber Pakhtunkhua.

    Five years later, she returned to Pakistan at Imran Khan’s invitation for the fund-raising of Pakistan’s first charity cancer hospital, Shaukat Khanum. Diana was accompanied by Lady Annabel Goldsmith, the mother of Khan’s wife at the time, Jemima Khan. Diana spent the rest of her trip visiting sick children and attending other fundraising events.

    Princess Diana with Imran Khan and Jemima Khan, infront of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital in Lahore

    As a focal person in the construction of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, she visited Pakistan again to attend the opening ceremony of the hospital. This was her final trip to Pakistan, before her death in a tragic car crash in Paris.

    Watch the previous royal visits to Pakistan

  • Comedian Dave Chappelle opens up about his conversion to Islam

    Appearing as a guest on the latest season of the Netflix series My Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, acclaimed American stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle opened up about his spiritual journey.

    “I wanted to have a meaningful life, a spiritual life, not just what my hands can hold,” he said. “I felt like I’ve always had this notion that life should mean something.”

    Chappelle, 47, revealed that his conversion came about through his visits to his local pizza shop as 17-year-old growing up in Washington, DC. He recalled that it was the positive vibes of the Muslim staff that caught his attention.

    “The pizza shop was across from my house and it was, like, all these Muslim dudes that worked in there,” he said. “I used to go in there and crack jokes. And I am also a naturally curious guy and I would ask [the owner] questions about his religion and the guy was so passionate about it. It was very compelling. I liked the perspective of it.”

    Chappelle also expressed his weariness surrounding the public discourse about Islam.

    “It’s been presented in the public space in such a narrow and dismissive view,” he said. “It’s a beautiful religion. And the ideas in that religion are reflected in all the major Abrahamic faiths. You’ll see these ideas in both Christianity and Judaism, you know. It is the idea that this place does mean something, you know?”

    In the interview, the actor also shared one of his favourite stories from Islamic history – the one which centered on the origins of Zamzam water.

    “The thing that comforts me about it is the idea that all of this is from a singular source and the source is ultimately kind. And even though we may not understand the intentions of this source, we’re all connected and bounded by it”, he said.

  • Shafqat Mehmood becomes the new hero for Pakistani students

    Shafqat Mehmood becomes the new hero for Pakistani students

    Soon after Federal Minister for Education, Shafqat Mehmood announced that educational institutes across the country will be closed from November 26 to January 1 in a bid to control the COVID-19 spread, Pakistani social media was filled with memes as students rejoiced over the decision.

    Read more – A new meme trend is breaking the internet

    https://twitter.com/Abyy_chal/status/1330783745452990466?s=20

  • Pakistan cricket team departs for NZ without Fakhar Zaman

    The Pakistan cricket team departed for their month-long tour of New Zealand in the wee hours of Monday. Upon arrival, the team will enter a two-week quarantine period in Lincoln in line with the New Zealand government’s COVID-19 protocols.

    The 54-member squad includes 34 players and 20 officials.

    Pakistan is scheduled to play three T20Is and two Tests during the tour. The T20 matches will be played on December 18, 20 and 22 whereas the two Test matches are scheduled to be played on December 26 and January 3.

    According to details, the squad will be in isolation for the first three days after arriving in NZ. After the first phase of COVID-19 testing, the players will be divided into groups and all activities, including training, will continue in those respective groups.

    During quarantine, there will be three rounds of COVID-19 tests and after 14 days, the squad will be allowed to move around freely.

    Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the tour to New Zealand after showing symptoms of COVID-19 before the squad’s departure. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a press release, confirmed that Fakhar has fever and is yet to recover in time for the Pakistan squad’s departure for the tour.

    The board said the decision to withdraw Fakhar from the tour was made keeping the health of the rest of the squad members as a top priority.

    “Fakhar has been isolated in the team hotel in Lahore as soon as his condition was detected and the PCB’s medical panel is now monitoring him,” stated PCB.

    Earlier on November 11, Head Coach Misbah-ul-Haq had announced the 35-player squad for Pakistan’s tour to New Zealand.

  • ‘Israeli PM secretly visited Saudi Arabia, met crown prince’

    Israeli media reported Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew to Saudi Arabia for a clandestine meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which would mark the first known encounter between senior Israeli and Saudi officials.

    Hebrew-language media cited an unnamed Israeli official as saying that Netanyahu and Yossi Cohen, head of Israel’s Mossad spy agency, flew to the Saudi city of Neom on Sunday, where they met with the crown prince. The prince was there for talks with visiting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

    A Gulfstream IV private jet took off just after 1740 GMT from Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, according to data from website FlightRadar24.com. The flight traveled south along the eastern edge of the Sinai Peninsula before turning toward Neom and landing just after 1830 GMT, according to the data. The flight took off from Neom around 2150 GMT and followed the same route back to Tel Aviv.

    The Israeli prime minister’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

    Pompeo traveled with an American press pool on his trip throughout the Mideast, but left them at the Neom airport when he went into his visit with the crown prince.

    Meanwhile, the Saudi foreign minister has denied reports of a meeting between MBS and Netanyahu, as per Reuters.

    While Bahrain, Sudan and the United Arab Emirates have reached deals under the Trump administration to normalise ties with Israel, Saudi Arabia so far has remained out of reach.

    King Salman long has supported the Palestinians in their effort to secure an independent state. However, analysts and insiders suggest his 35-year-old son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, likely is more open to the idea of normalising relations without major progress in the moribund peace process.

    The kingdom approved the use of Saudi airspace for Israeli flights to the UAE, a decision announced the day after Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, met with Prince Mohammed in Riyadh. Bahrain normalizing ties also suggest at least a Saudi acquiescence to the idea, as the island kingdom relies on Riyadh.

    Israel has long had clandestine ties to Gulf Arab states that have strengthened in recent years as they have confronted a shared threat in Iran.