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  • Britain confirms first Omicron coronavirus variant death

    Britain confirms first Omicron coronavirus variant death

    British Prime Minister (PM) Boris Johnson confirmed the first global death from the swiftly spreading strain of the Omicron variant on Monday, reports Reuters.

    However, it is not clear if the deceased had been vaccinated or had underlying health issues.

    “Sadly at least one patient has now been confirmed to have died with Omicron. I think the idea is that this is somehow a milder version of the virus. That’s something we need to set to one side and just recognise the sheer pace at which it accelerates through the population,” Johnson stated.

    When asked about the lifting of tougher restrictions, PM avoided giving a direct answer. However, British Health Secretary Sajid Javid said he knew of no plans for additional measures.

    The first Omicron cases were detected in Britain on November 27. Before this confirmation, 10 people (ranging from 18 to 85 years) were hospitalised with Omicron, most had received two vaccination doses as the virus can overcome the immunity of those who have had two shots of vaccines such as AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests that the Omicron may be less severe than the Delta variant as all cases reported in the European region have been mild.

    In Pakistan, National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) confirmed the first case of the Omicron variant in Pakistan on Monday.

  • Chinese national accidentally enter Karachi’s Kati Pahari

    A Chinese national who came to Pakistan on a business visa accidentally landed in Kati Pahari on Saturday, an ‘unsafe’ area in Karachi to visit. He mistook the place as a tourist attraction due to its cliff view. Kati Pahari is famously known for alleged drug trafficking and ethnopolitical violence spot.

    It is still unknown how the Chinese man entered this area shortly after landing in Karachi.

    According to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Central, the Chinese national possibly mistook the hilly area as a tourist attraction.

    Station House Officer (SHO) received the information of a Chinese man roaming around with luggage. The police team became active and reached the place to escort him safely to his hotel.

  • Shehryar Afridi calling Pakistani community in Europe to physically attack a journalist is unacceptable, says RSF

    Shehryar Afridi calling Pakistani community in Europe to physically attack a journalist is unacceptable, says RSF

    Reporters Without Borders also known as Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF) took to Twitter to condemn the attack on Younas Khan, a journalist who questioned the chairperson of the Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir Shehryar Khan Afridi in France during an event.

    RSF’s condemnation comes in relevance to Afridi’s leaked audio, where he was not happy with the organisers of the event during which Younas Khan questioned him whether he had any interactions with parliamentarians or Tink Tank when he was touring France.

    RSF tweeted, “Pakistan: #RSF strongly supports Paris-based Pakistani journalist @younaskhan1977, who is now the target of death threats after he was thrashed and insulted by a famous Pakistani politician, @ShehryarAfridi1, recently visiting #France.”

    “@younaskhan1977’s only wrongdoing was to ask a question that displeased @ShehryarAfridi1. In a leaked audio clip, the politician can be heard calling members of the Pakistani community in Europe to physically attack the journalist. These threats are unacceptable,” added RSF.

    Afridi’s leaked audio revealed that he was unhappy and could be heard talking to the organisers that he came to the event at their request. “If I did not answer the questions there, people would have said that I was scared and ran away,” said Afridi.

    “When the journalist was asking me questions, why did you [organisers] stay silent, why didn’t you ask him why this news was published?” Afridi questioned using explicit language.

    Shehryar Afridi told the organisers of the ceremony that they did not miss the chance to demean him, adding, “As far as I am concerned, it would have been good, but it is a matter of Pakistan’s honour.”

    “If you do not ask this journalist about the news, I will not spare you,” warned Afridi.

  • Trans woman allegedly abducted, tortured and raped in Karachi

    Trans woman allegedly abducted, tortured and raped in Karachi

    People’s Climate March took place on Sunday, December 12. On this day, the protesters were met with heavy contingents of police, and the march was blockaded and surrounded on all sides by police vans.

    A trans woman was abducted on her way home, was tortured and raped to get the information regarding the march’s programme and its speechesm, The Karachi Bachao Tehreek said in a tweet. The victim was one of the organisers of the climate March.

    Another tweet in a long thread read: “It is worth noting that this police violence was disproportionately directed towards a trans woman – that sexual violence was weaponized against one of the most vulnerable members of the organizing team, so that information about the march and its program could be extorted from her.”

    Ministry of Human Rights in a tweet said, “Our Transgender Rights Expert, Reem, has been in touch with the relevant people including the victim’s guardian and our Ministry will be contacting Sindh Government to ensure her protection.

  • Men in green seal record 18th T20 win in calendar year by beating Windies

    Men in green seal record 18th T20 win in calendar year by beating Windies

    Pakistan Cricket team has become the first men’s team to win 18 T20 international matches in a calendar year as they beat West Indies by 63 runs in the first game of the three-match series on Monday.

    Mohammad Rizwan (78), Haider Ali (68) and at the end Mohammad Nawaz (30) put on a dominant batting performance as Pakistan set the tourists a target of 201 in Karachi.

    The bowlers finished the job for the home team after Mohammad Wasim picked up four wickets and Shadab Khan took three as West Indies were restricted for 137.

    Pakistan’s 18th T20 win in 2021 was an improvement on their record of 17 victories in 2018.

    The second and third matches in the series will be played on Tuesday and Thursday respectively.

    The teams are scheduled to play three One-Day Internationals after the T20 series.

    Meanwhile, the team was showered with applause on social media. Taking to Twitter, Wasim expressed his joy to represent his team on the homeland for the first time.

    “Extremely happy to win my first international match in my country. So proud to be part of this team. Thank you, Karachi, for your support,” he wrote.

    “Pakistan Zindabad!”

  • Pakistanis in trouble again as more tax hikes planned by the government

    With rising inflation, and an increase in taxes, the poor and working middle-class are being adversely affected.

    At the moment the government is planning on tightening the budget of tax hikes and spending cuts if the country is to get the $1 billion it needs from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    “I never thought it would become so difficult to survive,” said Sibte Hasan, a 43-year-old construction supervisor from Pakistan’s second-biggest city Lahore.

    The Pakistani rupee has also fallen to around 14% since May, which is a historic low.

    Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin is still hopeful things will be better but little to no relief is being given by the government as the country faces an inflation and gas crisis and rising taxes.

  • India’s Harnaaz Sandhu becomes Miss Universe amidst controversies

    India’s Harnaaz Sandhu becomes Miss Universe amidst controversies

    Miss India, Harnaaz Sandhu was given the title of Miss Universe 2021 in the 70th edition of the annual pageant, held in Eilat, Israel on Monday. Several participants took part in the event despite the pressure to boycott in support of Palestinians. This is the first time the pageant was held in Israel. The event has faced several complications due to the covid pandemic as well.

    Nadia Ferreira from Paraguay took the first runner-up position and Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane filled the second-runner up spot.

    Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts of South Africa had stressed upon its participant to stay away from Eilat due to “atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians.”

    South Africa also withdrew their support from its participant Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane but she took part in the event.

    The grandson of Nelson Mandela, Mandla Mandela also supported the call to boycott the annual pageant.

    Miss Universe 2017, Sarah Idan, who belong to Iraq tweeted, “All I can say is how dare you? How dare you as a man try to tell an organization for women, and women empowerment what to do.”

    The other groups for Palestinian advocacy also requested to avoid the event to voice out the atrocities of Israel against Palestine.

    The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel wrote: “We urge all participants to withdraw, to avoid complicity in Israel’s apartheid regime and its violation of Palestinian human rights.”

    Contestants from Muslim majority countries also participated in the pageant which includes Morocco and Bahrain who have normalized their diplomatic ties with Israel last year.

    Miss Universe 2020, Andrea Meza from Mexico also emphasised that the annual pageant should be away from politics and religion. She said that it is only for women and what they can contribute to society.

    Muslim majority, Malaysia and Indonesia nations which have no diplomatic ties with Israel, did not send their participants due to complications of the covid pandemic and not because of any political grounds.

    The United Arab Emirates, UAE which also normalised the ties with Israel last year has not sent its contestant due to time constraints in the selection of a national winner.

    Participants of the pageant have also faced criticism on cultural appropriation when candidates wore robes with traditional Palestinian embroidery while rolling grape leaves.

    Ines Abdel Razek of the advocacy group the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy. tweeted, “Colonialism, racism, cultural appropriation, patriarchy, whitewashing, all in one place.”

  • Trouble in Paradise: Maya Ali, Sheheryar Munawar unfollow each other after an alleged break-up

    Trouble in Paradise: Maya Ali, Sheheryar Munawar unfollow each other after an alleged break-up

    Actors Sheheryar Munawar and Maya Ali grabbed headlines during the release of their film Parey Hut Love for allegedly being in a serious relationship, the duo went through ups and downs in their love life over the years.

    Bold and Controversial Photo Shoots Of Pakistani Celebrities

    The two were spotted with each other’s family members often even after their film’s release.

    MayaAli poses with #SheheryarMunawar and his family at a wedding ...#hellopakistan #instagood #instalove #love #celebr… | Hello magazine, Hello pakistan, Maya ali

    Sheheryar even performed at the wedding ceremony of Maya’s younger brother.

    Maya Ali and Sheheryar Munawar Set the Dance Floor on Fire - Masala

    Earlier this year while talking to Mira Sethi on her show Hello Mira Sethi, Maya shared that she has “never come across anyone in her career who is as passionate about their work as Sheheryar.”

    Beautiful Pictures of Shehryar Munawar and Maya Ali | Reviewit.pk | Maya ali, Cute love couple, Celebrity couples

    The Project Ghazi star expresses his displeasure when Maya was finalised for Pehli Si Mohabbat as the duo were having personal issues. He cited the reason that they have worked together in a film recently so the audience should witness a fresh pair, however the director was adamant that he wants only the Teefa In Trouble diva for the role.

    Pehli Si Muhabbat Airs First Episode - Public Reactions - INCPak

    Now according to sources, the two have officially parted ways a while ago but made it official by unfollowing each other on social media.

    Netizens have been speculating that Maya has found a special friend in actor Bilal Ashraf after parting ways with Sheheryar. She even mentioned recently that Bilal is her celebrity crush.

    Maya Ali And Bilal Ashraf Pair Up For Khayaal By HSY | Reviewit.pk

    Recently actress Syra Yousuf commented on her scintillating shoot with Sheheryar that when the shoot came out and went viral on social media, netizens commented that they will have fairy babies together if they get married, considering their good on-screen chemistry.

    Syra Yousuf and Sheheryar Munawar's bold photoshoot goes viral

    Read More: ‘People said we’ll have fairy babies together’: Syra Yousuf opens up on shoot with Sheheryar Munawar

  • ‘Sad, down the drain’: Mathira lashes out at Faysal Qureshi for sexist remarks on Iqra Aziz

    ‘Sad, down the drain’: Mathira lashes out at Faysal Qureshi for sexist remarks on Iqra Aziz

    Actor Faisal Quraishi has garnered mixed reactions on his latest statement on married actresses across social media platforms.

    The Qaid-e-Tanhai star stated in a recent interview that, “Most actresses get married and are investing time in bringing up their children and some actresses working on sets are keeping a check on their kids. It is always difficult for girls because they have more responsibilities. We think that we run homes but actually the ladies do this job, they can keep home and work at the same time,” said Faysal.

    The Fitoor hero added that Iqra Aziz is very talented but after the birth of their child Kabir, she has stopped working however Yasir is constantly working even after they have welcomed a child. “Until actresses aren’t married, they are normal.

    Take Iqra Aziz for instance. Iqra is an excellent actress but she stopped working after she had a child. I asked her what the issue is. And she said what can I do? And Yasir [Iqra’s husband] is constantly acting.”

    “I was recently working with Sunita Marshall and I always found her worried about her kids on the set. When I was working with Shaista, she also shared that she had a hard time focusing on her job since her kids were always on her mind, ” added the Fitoor hero.

    Hence he prefers working with single actresses.

    He also cited Sunita Marshal’s example that while shooting, she was mentally occupied with her children’s activities. He also mentioned that his Baba Jani costar Savera Nadeem was also always focusing on her phone to take children’s updates.

    In the interview, Faysal also lashed out at actresses for uploading chunks of the dramas on social media platforms, he said that some people are very obsessed with social media. “Some actresses upload almost half the drama on Snapchat”.

    He concluded by saying that he can bet that Madiha Imam will also stop working after a child.

    The Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3 diva has currently taken a break from work after her son’s birth.

    Now actor and host Mathira shared her blunt stance on the matter. She shunned the actor for saying that marriage is a hindrance to a woman’s career.

    Read More: ‘Har waqt tension’: When Shaista Lodhi and Sunita Marshal gave tough time to Faysal Qureshi on sets

    Read More: ‘Iqra stopped working after marriage, Yasir didn’t’: Faysal Qureshi makes striking revelations

  • Is Jemima’s new movie about her relationship with PM Khan?

    Is Jemima’s new movie about her relationship with PM Khan?

    Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith has recently opened up about her film What’s Love Got To Do With It?, which is  reportedly based on her own life and experiences in Pakistan.

    The movie a rom-com which unfolds the love life of two inter-cultural childhood best friends. The story is set between London and South Asia. Moreover, two different people from two different cultures and customs fall in love and then get married.

    Jemima, in an interview said: “When I went to Pakistan I probably had the same views as the rest of my friends about the concept of arranged marriage, which is that it is a mad, outdated idea. But I came back after ten years with a slightly different view, whereby I could see some merits to it.’’

    She had also revealed in the same interview that it took her ten years to write and rewrite the script of the movie.

    Recently Studiocanal and Working Title released the first look of the movie on December 9 and it showcases aspects of cultural mixing with a man in a kurta and a woman in a leather jacket standing inside a wedding hall.

    Pakistan’s superstar Sajal Aly is starring in the movie alongside India’s veteran actress Shabana Azmi, English actor Lily James from Baby Driver and Darkest Hour, Oscar winner Emma Thompson from Beauty and the Beast, Bridget Jones’s Baby and British actor Shazad Latif from Star Trek: Discovery among others.

    The movie is set to release in cinemas worldwide in 2022.