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  • ‘An extraordinary friend’: Fashion industry devastated after death of ‘Nickie Nina’ designer Aliya Nazir

    ‘An extraordinary friend’: Fashion industry devastated after death of ‘Nickie Nina’ designer Aliya Nazir

    Aliya Nazir, one half the successful fashion duo behind designer brand ‘Nickie Nina’, passed away on Sunday, media outlets reported.

    Publisher and Editor of Diva Magazine Rahael Rao broke the news on social media, calling the death ‘devastating’ and remembering the Pakistani fashion giant as an ‘extraordinary friend’.

    “I woke up this morning to the heartbreaking news of the passing of my dear old friend, #NickieNazir, from @nickieninaofficial. Nickie was not only warm and gracious but also an extraordinary friend to have. The memories we shared together are invaluable, and the void left by their absence will be deeply felt. Nickie, your presence will be dearly missed, and the impact you made on our lives will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, dear friend.”

    Soon, models and actors in the entertainment industry came forward to offer condolences and remember the late fashion designer. Actress Sajal Aly, Areeba Habib and Sami Khan were among them.

    Model Mushk Kaleem was among the celebrities who sent their condolences, calling this “incredibly sad”.

    Actress and singer Hadiqa Kiani sent her condolences to the late designer’s family.

    VJ and actress Anoushay Ashraf remembered the late designer as a humorous and smiling person:

    “Rest in peace beautiful Nickie. Today, I choose to celebrate your short but wholesome life. You lived so much more than so many.
    Forever in our hearts. Smiling, humorous and beautiful. To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. Wrapped in His eternal love and endless bounty, you’re home.”

    Ushna Shah remembered the “Nickie Nina’ designer as a warm and kind person:

    “This is so heartbreaking. She was such a warm and kind person. So beautiful, so graceful, so witty and so full of life. Inalilahewainaelerajiun- what terrible terrible news.”

    Actress and former model Frieha Altaf mourned her late friend by sharing some past pictures with Nazir on vacation, and also sent love to her family.

  • MIT offers 2,000 free online courses, here are 7 of the best ones

    MIT offers 2,000 free online courses, here are 7 of the best ones

    The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The institute currently offers 2000 free online courses with different time durations. You can do them online, so all you need is good access to the internet.

    In these online courses, MIT is offering courses that are the essential need of every learner and can be seen as life changers for those who take part in the courses. Entrepreneurship, art and craft, machine learning, coding, and programming are included in the modules.

    MIT wants to spread knowledge and encourage new ideas, and these courses help them do that. They let people from all walks of life learn from top MIT professors and explore the latest research and subjects.

    MIT’s free online courses are great for lifelong learning and personal growth. They give you the freedom to learn at your own pace and choose what you want to study. You can fit your learning around your schedule, whether you’re working, taking care of your family, or doing other things. The online format makes it easy for everyone to join in and learn, no matter where they are. MIT is using technology to make education accessible and exciting for everyone.

    Here are the 7 Best of the 2000 courses offered my MIT

    1. MIT’s Introduction to Computer Science and programming using python

    Time Duration: 9 weeks

    If you want to learn about computer skills and programming and you have the nose to learn the skilled languages, this course is for you. This introductory course focuses on breadth rather than depth; you will learn about Python, simple algorithms, testing and debugging, and data structures. You’ll also get an informal introduction to algorithm complexity.

    1. Becoming an Entrepreneur

    Time Duration: 6 weeks

    Learn the business skills and startup mindset needed to embark on your entrepreneurial path from the premier program for aspiring entrepreneurs, MIT Launch.

    1. Design Thinking for Leading and Learning

    Time Duration: 6 weeks (self-paced)

    A hands-on course for education leaders to learn about design thinking and explore how it can transform classroom learning and school communities.

    1. Art, Craft, Science

    Time Duration: NA

    Also through MIT OpenCourseWare, students can examine crafts or, artworks that are created to be used as well as viewed through historical, theoretical, and anthropological lenses. Professor Heather Paxson examines the historical and contemporary creation, consumption, commodification, and value of crafts. Ultimately, students should be able to apply the same tools to form and articulate their own ideas about crafts.

    1. Supply Chain Analytics

    Time Duration: 15 weeks

    Master and apply the core methodologies used in supply chain analysis and modeling, including statistics, regression, optimization and probability – part of the MITx Supply Chain Management MicroMasters Credential.

    1. Block Chain and Money

    Time Duration: NA

    This course is for students wishing to explore blockchain technology’s potential use—by entrepreneurs and incumbents—to change the world of money and finance. The course begins with a review of Bitcoin and an understanding of the commercial, technical, and public policy fundamentals of blockchain technology, distributed ledgers, and smart contracts. The class then continues on to current and potential blockchain applications in the financial sector.

    1. Machine Learning with Python

    Time Duration: 14 weeks

    An in-depth introduction to the field of machine learning, from linear models to deep learning and reinforcement learning, through hands-on Python projects. — Part of the MITx MicroMasters program in Statistics and Data Science.

  • ‘Imran Khan deliberately disinforming local & foreign audiences with fake news’: Shehbaz Sharif

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has said in a tweet on Monday that Imran Khan openly and deliberately misinforms local and foreign audiences with fake news.

    “In his interviews with international media outlets, Imran Niazi is openly and deliberately disinforming local & foreign audiences by glib talk laced with fake news & plain misrepresentation.” wrote PM.

    “His expedient description of the post-May 9 events as ‘human rights abuses’ & ‘stifling of the right to political protest’ is not only misleading but aimed at manipulating and swaying opinion-makers outside the country,” he added.
    The PM further wrote that what PTI did on May 9 was “a brazen attack on the State of Pakistan, with malafide intent and sinister objectives.”

    “No country in the world would tolerate such an attempt at destroying its integrity. I assure everyone that the culprits are being dealt with under the law & that I will ensure that no rights violations take place. Every case will be dealt with due process under the law. Pakistan fully respects & is committed to all its constitutional and international obligations on human rights.”

    The tweet comes after Imran Khan said in an interview with Reuters on Saturday that he tried to contact the military for talks but got no response. He further said that he did not know why Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir is ‘fixated’ on sidelining him.

  • Zayn Malik, Simone Ashley to star in animated film ’10 lives’

    Two divas are coming together for global domination!

    Former One Direction star Zayn Malik and Bridgerton actress Simone Ashley are joining hands to star in the animated film ’10 Lives’. The film will also star veteran actor Bill Nighy and will be directed by Chris Jenkins.

    The film is about Beckett, a spoiled and pampered cat who takes all the lives he was given for granted. After a careless mistake costs him his ninth life, he begs for a last chance, and is given the 10th life but with certain conditions.

    Ashley had previously starred as Indira, one of the seven sisters in the live adaptation of ‘The Little Mermaid’. She is set to reprise her role as Kate Sharma in the upcoming third season of Bridgerton.

    Speaking exclusively to Deadline about the upcoming season, Ashley revealed that this is finally where Kate and Anthony start coming together to build their family, which she was excited about:

    “In Season 2, there was a lot of push and pull between Kate and Anthony, there were complications with the family, and then they find each other towards the end. I think everything is just starting. I’d like to see Kate just let go a bit more and play more in Season 3 and kind of swim in that circle of love together. I think they both deserve it.”

    “She’s in charge of the household now and she’s got big boots to put on. I think she can do it,” the ‘Sex Education’ star gushed. “I want to keep that softness and vulnerability to Kate, for sure, and she can share that with Anthony. I’m just excited for her to have a home and to have a family. I’m excited to see her grow. I think I’d like to see Kate being much braver and less headstrong and more heart strong.”

    Malik had sent fans in a frenzy when he announced the cover of the popular Jimi Hendrix song ‘Angel’.

    Recently, the ‘Pillow Talk’ star took to Twitter to thank all of the fans who had kept supporting the singer during his break from social media, moving fans to tears.

    “I would like to say thank you to everyone that has supported me throughout this amazing journey, especially to my fans who I owe my life to. Love and adore you and see everything you do for me.”

  • Not in contact with Tareen, Fawad stays in touch: Asad Umar

    Former Secretary General of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Asad Umar has said that he has no contact with Jahangir Tareen but does stay in contact with former colleague Fawad Chaudhry.

    Talking to journalists outside a court in Islamabad, Asad Umar said that Tareen, who is rumoured to be forming a political party, has not contacted him.

    However, he did say that Fawad Chaudhry “remains in touch with me from time to time.”

    Asad Umar is one of the few central leaders who have not quit PTI. But, on May 24, he did resign from his post and from the core committee of the party.

  • May 9 targets were pre-determined, strong evidence against PTI leaders: IG Punjab

    May 9 targets were pre-determined, strong evidence against PTI leaders: IG Punjab

    The Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab, Dr Usman Anwar, said in a press conference on Sunday that the police have data of the calls of March 8 and 9 May, adding that the call data shows similarities between both events, helping police in arresting those responsible for the riots.

    PTI claimed that Ali Bilal (Zillay Shah) died during police custody when he was captured during a crackdown on party workers and supporters protesting near Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence on March 8.

    “We have records of each call made during these incidents and we are presenting them as evidence in court,” he added.

    He further said that law enforcement agencies had solid evidence that PTI leaders, in­cluding Dr. Yasmin Rashid, were in­volved in May 9 attacks and the tar­gets were pre-determined. “The May 9 incidents were carried out at a specific time as planned, the targets for the attacks were pre-determined”.

    While denying the accusations of PTI women being mistreated in jail, the IG said, “only lady police officers had interrogated women in custody.”

  • ‘Polls in October’; Khwaja Asif rules out delay in general elections

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has rejected any possibility of a delay in general elections, stating that polls will be held in October.

    “The assemblies will complete their five-year term in August and polls will take place within the next 60 days. Elections will be held on time,” Asif said on Sunday while talking to The Express Tribune.

    When asked what he meant by “on time”, the minister clarified that he meant October.

    The federal government is readying up to present the budget for the next fiscal year, scheduled to be tabled on June 9 before the National Assembly.

  • Tried to contact military for talks, got no response, Asim Munir has a grudge against me: Imran Khan

    Tried to contact military for talks, got no response, Asim Munir has a grudge against me: Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, while talking to Reuters on Saturday, said that he tried to contact the military for talks but got no response. He further said that he did not know why Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir is ‘fixated’ on sidelining him.

    Khan said that he thinks that Asim Munir has a grudge against him because he asked him to resign as the head of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), adding, “I don’t know.”

    “He shouldn’t have issues with that now because he is the army chief,” Khan said, wondering, “So why would he harbour that grudge?”

    Talking about the crackdown on his party, Imran said, “It is completely the establishment,” adding that “They are really now openly – I mean, it’s not even hidden now – they’re just out in the open.”
    While talking about the events of May 9, Imran Khan said that it was a false flag operation that was meant to target him. “That’s the only way they are going to get me into prison,” he added.
    “So their only hope, and because they are determined to get me out of the way, I think they will, their whole charade of military courts is to imprison me.”
    Stating that he has no doubt that the military courts are meant for him, the former Prime Minister said that ISI was involved in the crackdown against his party.

    Earlier, in an interview with Independent Urdu, Imran said, “A semi-martial law is already in place in the country” and “everything is happening on the wishes of those in power”. He passed the remarks while talking about the use of the Army Act against civilians.

  • 18 years after 2005 earthquake, survivor reunites with family

    18 years after 2005 earthquake, survivor reunites with family

    A ‘survivor’ of the devastating earthquake of 2005 has returned to Balakot to search for his family, DAWN has reported.

    On Sunday, Ijaz Ahmed contacted local police to ask for their help in searching for his family.

    He said that his school was razed in the 2005 earthquake when he was a child. Injured by the collapse of the building, he was shifted to Rawalpindi for treatment.

    Ahmed claims he was abducted and sold to people linked to brick kilns. “I was sold four times in different cities and worked as a bonded labourer at brick kilns,” he told DAWN.

    He told the police that his father’s name was Anwar while his mother’s name was Naseem Akhtar.

    A large number of people showed up at the police station upon hearing the news. Miraculously, Anwar was among the crowd.

    The father and son had a tearful reunion. Police have said they will carry out DNA tests to ascertain paternity.

  • Govt expected to present Rs13-15 trillion budget for FY23-24 amidst economic uncertainties

    Govt expected to present Rs13-15 trillion budget for FY23-24 amidst economic uncertainties

    The government is anticipated to present a budget ranging from Rs13-15 trillion for the fiscal year 2023-24, according to a budget preview report by Topline Securities. This substantial increase is attributed to the record-high markup cost caused by the soaring interest rates. The proposed budget target of Rs9-9.2 trillion marks a 21 per cent surge compared to the current fiscal year’s target of Rs7.5 trillion.

    Notably, if implemented, the tax target for the upcoming financial year would be 29 per cent higher than the projected tax collection for the outgoing FY23. However, the brokerage house highlights the challenging nature of formulating a budget amidst stagflation and uncertainties surrounding the upcoming elections and Pakistan’s ability to bridge its external account funding gap.

    The report emphasises the prevailing nervousness in currency, bond, and stock markets due to the uncertainty surrounding the financing of the US dollar funding gap. Furthermore, it states that revenue targets have historically deviated by an average of 8 per cent from the actual targets in the past five years, and a similar trend is expected in FY24 due to the economic slowdown.

    The non-tax revenue target for FY24 is estimated at Rs2.5 trillion (2.4 per cent of GDP), compared to Rs1.6 trillion (2 per cent of GDP) for FY23. The report predicts several taxation measures, including tax on undistributed reserves, continuation of the super tax, a shift from the final tax regime to the minimum tax regime, asset/wealth tax, higher tax on non-filers, tax on rental income, and taxes on banks, tobacco, and beverages.

    Regarding development spending, the Federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) is projected to amount to Rs0.9 trillion for FY24. However, due to fiscal constraints, significant cuts are expected in this area. The consolidated PSDP (federal and provincial) is anticipated to reach Rs2.6 trillion (2.5 per cent of GDP) in FY24.

    With the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party being sidelined, there is a possibility of a weak coalition government coming to power in the upcoming elections. The report highlights the importance of an aggressive and competent new setup to tackle the ongoing economic crisis.

    To create a favorable perception, the government may set unrealistic revenue targets in order to allocate more spending in the budget. The report suggests that it is unlikely for the government to complete the current International Monetary Fund (IMF) program on time and urges Pakistan to enter another, potentially larger, IMF program.

    In light of the economic slowdown and high inflation, the government may introduce expansionary policies in the budget to appease the public, such as direct cash subsidies for the underprivileged and an increase in minimum wages. However, the brokerage firm warns against excessive spending without substantial tax collection measures.

    In terms of its impact on the stock market, the upcoming budget is expected to be neutral to positive. Sectors such as oil and gas exploration, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumers, tobacco, technology and communication, textile, cement, fertilizers, and oil marketing companies may experience a neutral effect. Conversely, the budget might have a neutral to negative impact on banks and autos, while steel and independent power producers could experience a neutral to positive effect, according to the research.

    As the budget is unveiled, stakeholders and citizens alike will closely monitor the government’s strategies to address the economic challenges and promote stability and growth in Pakistan.