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  • Crown Prince MBS coming to Pakistan after Eid

    Crown Prince MBS coming to Pakistan after Eid

    Prime Minister Imran Khan was warmly welcomed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his three-day visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Crown Prince is expected to visit Pakistan after Eid.

    In a joint statement issued by Riyadh and Islamabad, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of the ties between the two countries. All facets of bilateral cooperation, regional and international issues of mutual interest were discussed by the two. Matters of strengthening and enhancing the economy and trade in light of the Kingdom’s 2030 vision and Pakistan’s development priorities emanating from a shift from geo-politics to geo-economics were also highlighted.

    Issues pertaining to the Islamic world were also discussed. The two leaders stressed the need for concerted efforts by the Muslim countries to confront extremism and violence, reject sectarianism, and strive to achieve international peace and security.

    The two sides reaffirmed their full support for all the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, especially, their right to self-determination and establishment of their independent state, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UN resolutions

    PM praised the role of Saudi Arabia for the resolution of crisis in Yemen, which aims at achieving peace and security in Yemen as it will result in prosperity and development of the region and its people.

    The Crown Prince acknowledged Pakistan’s facilitative role in the Afghan peace process. The two leaders agreed to continue mutual consultations on the Afghan peace process.

    The recent understanding reached between the military authorities of Pakistan and India regarding ceasefire at the Line of Control (LoC) was welcomed by the Crown Prince. The two sides emphasised the importance of dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve issues, especially Jammu and Kashmir dispute, to ensure peace and stability in the region.

    Premier congratulated the Saudi government for successfully organising and holding the G20 summit meetings and the positive decisions that resulted from it in economic, developmental, environmental, health, energy and other fields.

    Acknowledging the leading role of the Kingdom in addressing international issues, in particular the challenge posed by climate change, the two leaders welcomed each other’s efforts towards the cause.

    PM Imran appreciated the efforts of the Kingdom and its leadership in serving the Two Holy Mosques, their pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors despite the challenges posed by the Corona pandemic. He expressed gratitude and offered his best wishes. The Saudi Crown Prince warmly reciprocated with best wishes for health and wellbeing of the Prime Minister, and prayers for the progress and prosperity of the brotherly people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

  • Female workers appointed at the Holy Ka’aba

    Female workers appointed at the Holy Ka’aba

    Saudi Arabian authorities have passed a significant reform by appointing female workers at the Holy Ka’aba to perform various duties. The core responsiblity of the workers will be to serve female worshippers who come to pray and visit the Holy Ka’aba.

    According to details, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has appointed an estimated 1,500 females in different departments. A total of 600 women have been recruited in the Technical and Service Affairs Agency.

    Previously, in a first, the Saudi Ministry of Interior had introduced historic reforms, appointing female security officers for the first time at the Grand Mosque.

    According to the preliminary findings of IMF- Saudi Arabia, the Saudi female labour force participation rate is estimated to have increased by 13 percentage points to over 33 per cent over the past two years. This increase in percentage will help boost productivity, growth, and household incomes as these women become employed.

    In a short period of just two years, the labour force participation rate of of Saudi women in the labour market expanded by an incredible 64 per cent in just two years.

  • Man walks into govt office wearing birds’ nest as he couldn’t afford a mask

    Man walks into govt office wearing birds’ nest as he couldn’t afford a mask

    As the deadly second wave of COVID-19 ravages India, authorities have made the use of face masks in public mandatory and announced that violators will be fined Rs 1,000.

    Read more – Mattress factory sealed for stuffing used face masks instead of cotton

    A shepherd hailing from Telangana, India who could not afford a face mask came up with an innovative solution to avoid getting fined.

    According to details, Mekala Kurmayya had to visit the government office to collect his pension but could not afford a face mask. Knowing he wouldn’t be allowed to enter the office without a face mask, the Telangana shepherd made a face mask from a bird’s nest and wore it on his his face before stepping into the office.

    While that doesn’t look very comfortable, it appears to have gotten the job done.

    India has reported 19,925,500  cases so far. As of Monday morning, 218,959 people had died in the country.

  • “I’m choking, please give me treatment” – Barkha Dutt’s father’s last words

    “I’m choking, please give me treatment” – Barkha Dutt’s father’s last words

    Senior Indian journalist Barkha Dutt shared the pain of losing her father to COVID-19. In an emotional note on Twitter, Barkha Dutt expressed her grief of how she failed in bringing her ailing father back home safe.  

    She also acknowledged the hospital staff and everyone who tried their best to help her family in this situation. The last words of her late father rang loudly in her mind, “I’m choking, please give me treatment”

    The day her father SP Dutt, was hospitalised, both Barkha and Bahar ( sister of Barkha Dutt ) narrated the difficulties they faced, right from getting an ambulance to oxygen supply issues.

    The day she cremated her father, she said in an interview that urgent help must be sent to India for the sake of the world. She also added, “It is a calamity and a crisis of the kind that I have not seen in my adult life.”

    The second wave in India has firmly gripped the country. Thousands of families have lost their loved ones due to Covid-19. The hospitals are overwhelmed and there are no beds for patients. Shortage of oxygen has killed far more people than the virus alone.

    ” I am an upper middle class Indian. I had access to a hospital, “she said in an interview, “most people I am reporting on are dying at the gates of the hospital.”

    Actors Farhan Akhtar and Abhishek Bachchan and others tweeted their condolences.

  • Indian man turns rickshaw into oxygen-equipped ambulance, serves people for free

    Indian man turns rickshaw into oxygen-equipped ambulance, serves people for free

    An Indian auto-rickshaw driver in Bhopal has converted his vehicle into an ambulance to help take people to the hospital for free. 

    According to reports, Javed’s rickshaw turned ambulance has been equipped with an oxygen cylinder, sanitizers, and other medicines to help COVID-19 patients.

    India has reported the maximum number of deaths in the past few days amid a surging second wave as people are helpless in saving the lives of their loved ones infected with the virus.

    34-year-old Javed Khan explained how he was traumatized by the plight of the people, who were not even able to get ambulances on their way to the hospital. 

     “I saw on social media and news channels how people were being carried to hospitals due to the shortage of ambulance. So I thought of doing this,” said Javed, while speaking to ANI.  

    He said he discussed the situation with his family who suggested him to convert his auto into an ambulance.

    Read more – Bollywood stars step in to support India’s battle against COVID

    However, due to the lack of resources, he had to sell his wife’s jewelry to finance the additions to his auto. 

    “I sold my wife’s jewelry for this. I queue up outside a refill center and get oxygen,” said Javed. “My contact number is available on social media. People can call me up if there’s no ambulance. I’ve been doing this for 15-20 days now and have taken nine serious patients to the hospital.”

  • Sri Lanka to ban Burqas in public

    Sri Lanka to ban Burqas in public

    Sri Lanka’s cabinet has recently approved a proposed ban on full-face burqas in public places due to national security concerns. According to Al-Jazeera, while talking to the media, the cabinet spokesperson said, “the cabinet has approved the proposal. It will now go to the legal draftsmen and then be brought to parliament,”

    The approval is unofficial for now but it could easily be passed as the government holds a majority in parliament.

    The announcement of the proposal was made last month by the current Cabinet Minister of Public Security, Sarath Weerasekara, stating that, “the burqa is something that directly affects our national security…this [dress] came into Sri Lanka only recently. It is a symbol of their religious extremism.” While the Minister said he had signed the documents outlawing the burqa, the move awaits Cabinet approval. Over 1,000 madrasas would be shut, he added.

    In response to this, last month, Pakistani Ambassador Saad Khattak tweeted that a likely ban on the niqab will only serve as injury to the feelings of ordinary Sri Lankan Muslims and Muslims across the globe. At today’s economically difficult time due to pandemic and other image related challenges faced by the country”.

    This has triggered concern domestically and among international actors. According to reports, this development was in consideration for a long time. The burqa was temporarily banned after the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings, when two local Muslim groups were blamed for the attacks at six locations.

  • Indian woman gets married to COVID positive man in PPE kit

    Indian woman gets married to COVID positive man in PPE kit

    An Indian couple recently tied the knot inside a coronavirus ward at the Alappuzha Media College in Kerala. Sarath Mon and Abhirami got married inside the Covid ward after the groom tested COVID-19 positive a few days back. The bride showed up at the hospital in a PPE kit.

    According to details, Sarath, who was working abroad, had tested positive during the arrangements of his wedding. Later, his mother was also tested positive for the virus. Both Sarath and his mother Jijimol were admitted to the Covid ward.

    After taking necessary permissions from the District Collector and other concerned authorities, the marriage was held inside the ward. The bride and a relative entered inside the Covid ward in a PPE.

    The family and relatives decided to hold the marriage on the fixed date on April 25 instead of delaying it further.

    Read more – ‘Distance makes the heart grow fonder’: Mumbai Police tells man wanting to see girlfriend amid lockdown

    The groom’s mother handed over the garlands to the couple and they tied the knot.

  • In a first, Saudi Arabia appoints women security guards at Grand Mosque

    In a first, Saudi Arabia appoints women security guards at Grand Mosque

    The Saudi Ministry of Interior has introduced historic reforms, appointing female security officers for the first time at the Grand Mosque.

    Pictures shared by the ministry show the women guards in security uniforms taking care of the safety of worshippers and pilgrims while ensuring all precautionary measures were being complied with.

    “From the field, security of Hajj and Umrah,” wrote the Ministry in the caption.

    Read more – Saudi Arabia will only allow vaccinated pilgrims to perform Umrah

    Saudi Arabia’s recent move to allow women to climb the ranks in its internal security forces is one of the new reforms endorsed by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman bin Abdulaziz to advance women’s rights in the country.

    Under his Vision 2030 initiative, Saudi women will be provided with several opportunities to participate in various disciplines and in roles previously allowed only to men.

  • VIDEO: Man plays violin while paragliding to overcome fear

    VIDEO: Man plays violin while paragliding to overcome fear

    A musician who was scared to go paragliding for the first time played violin while in the air to steady his nerves.

    Fikret Eren, who teaches violin, brought his violin to distract himself from his fear and played his violin midair to soothe his first flight nerves.

    Eren’s friend Semih Er who is a professional paraglider invited him to visit the skies for the first time in a tandem paragliding session.

    Read more – Man steals car after test drive, demands money to reveal location

    Eren said he was scared about taking his first flight when his friend suggested him to play the violin to distract himself during his flight.

    Eren brought his violin along to play the instrument high over the province of Kayseri in Turkey.

    Er said Eren overcame his fear and is now ready to enroll in a class to get his own paragliding license.

  • Man steals car after test drive, demands money to reveal location

    Man steals car after test drive, demands money to reveal location

    A man stole a car after asking for a test drive and then demanded money from the owner to reveal the location of the vehicle.

    As per reports, 27-year-old Jake Bateson from United Kingdom placed an online advertisement to sell his KIA Rio. He gave the keys to his car to a man who wanted the car for a test drive on April 12.

    The thief did not come back with Bateson’s car and asked for  £500 (Rs 106,899) to reveal the location of the car.

    According to reports, the same thief had stolen Jake’s friend’s car from Kings Heath a few weeks ago. Both Jake and his friend reported the thefts to the West Midlands Police.

    Read more – Man orders apples online, gets an iPhone

    “I feel quite shocked and shaken. We were taken advantage of. You do it all in good faith and don’t want to be cynical about people spinning you a web of lies,” Jake told a local newspaper.

    “Perhaps I should have asked to see his driving license at the start – but that just feels like an unnatural thing to do,” he added.