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  • England ODI squad forced to self-isolate after seven positive Covid-19 cases

    England ODI squad forced to self-isolate after seven positive Covid-19 cases

    England’s white-ball squads have been forced to self-isolate two days before the start of their One-Day Internationals (ODI) series against Pakistan following seven positive Covid-19 tests among the team’s players and management.

    Taking to Twitter, senior sports journalist Faizan Lakhani also shared the news about the positive cases in the white-ball squads of the hosts.

    As per details, three players and four members of management have tested positive for Covid. “In collaboration with Public Health England, Public Health Wales and Bristol Local Health Authority, those impacted will now observe a period of self-isolation from July 4 following the UK Government’s protocol on quarantine,” an English Cricket Board (ECB) statement said.

    “The remaining members of the party have been deemed close contacts and will also isolate.”

    The ECB confirmed that the limited-overs series against Pakistan will go ahead as planned, with Ben Stokes due to return to international duty ahead of schedule and captain the squad.

    ECB’s chief executive Tom Harrison, said: ”We have been mindful that the emergence of the Delta variant, along with our move away from the stringent enforcement of biosecure environments, could increase the chances of an outbreak. We made a strategic choice to try to adapt protocols, in order to support the overall wellbeing of our players and management staff who have spent much of the last 14 months living in very restricted conditions.”

    “Overnight we have worked swiftly to identify a new squad, and we are grateful to Ben Stokes who will return to England duties to captain. We also recognise the impact this news will have on our first-class counties and their men’s playing squads and thank them, along with our partners Sky and Royal London, for their ongoing support in dealing with this pandemic.”

    A lot of players taking part in the ongoing County Championship have already been informed to report for national duty. They will be allowed to join the squad and the bio-secure bubble after negative Covid-19 Tests.

    The official announcement of the new squad is expected to be made at 3pm Pakistan Standard Time.

  • Reporters Without Borders calls PM Khan a predator, Marriyum Aurangzeb agrees

    Reporters Without Borders calls PM Khan a predator, Marriyum Aurangzeb agrees

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) information secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb has claimed that the latest report of the Reporters Without Borders also known as Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF), is a charge-sheet against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, reports Dawn.

    Reporters Without Borders categorically calls Prime Minister Imran Khan a ‘predator since taking oath’. The report has been published under the caption “RSF’s 2021: Press freedom predators gallery – old tyrants, two women and a European.”

    In a statement on Monday, Marriyum Aurangzeb said Imran Khan’s alleged “authoritarian attitude” and character was destroying Pakistan’s image abroad.

    “The report says that the PTI government is worse than military dictatorships in Pakistan when it comes to press freedom. The Human Rights Watch, Pakistan Press Freedom Report, and Freedom Network Report had already declared the Imran government as the worst media gagging administration in the history of the country,” said Aurangzeb.

    Aurangzeb said the latest report of the Reporters Without Borders had exposed the “predatory behaviour” of the government. She said the actions by the PTI government had not only reflected negatively on Pakistan’s journalism but also adversely affected the country’s position when it came to Financial Action Task Force and the GSP Plus status by the European Union.

    “It mentions that journalists are harassed, abducted, and assaulted for crossing the red lines defined by the state. The report also pointed out that freedom of expression on social media is also being curbed through new dark and draconian laws,” she said while quoting from the report.

    Meanwhile, Focal Person to the Prime Minister on Digital Media Dr Arslan Khalid took to Twitter and called the RSF report a “typical propaganda”.

    Arslan further added that it was comical that the RSF was talking about free speech and yet calling people trolls who “dare to disagree with journalists”.

    Reporters Without Borders has published a gallery of grim portraits on its official website. It includes 37 heads of state or government who crack down massively on press freedom. Some of these “predators of press freedom” have been operating for more than two decades while others have just joined the blacklist, which for the first time includes two women and a European predator.

    19 of these predators rule countries that are coloured red on the RSF’s press freedom map, meaning their situation is classified as “bad” for journalism, and 16 rule countries coloured black, meaning the situation is “very bad.” The average age of the predators is 66. More than a third (13) of these tyrants come from the Asia-Pacific region, says the report.

    Besides Prime Minister Imran Khan, the RSF list includes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chinese President Xi Jingping, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tajik President Emamoli Rakhmon, Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, King of Bahrain Hamed bin Isa Al Khalifa and Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un.

  • ‘Her body her choice’: Mathira schools troll brigade over HSA backlash

    ‘Her body her choice’: Mathira schools troll brigade over HSA backlash

    Mathira took to Instagram to empower women for their dressing choice as netizens have been criticizing certain actresses for their choice of clothes at the 5th Hum Style Awards.

    Read More – Best dressed celebrities at the 5th Hum Style Awards

    “Why do people criticise the style of others, let women dress as they please,” Mathira wrote in her Instagram story.

    The Blind Love actress added that women should wear whatever they want and whatever clothes they feel happy wearing. She wrote further, “People sit at home and criticise others, They should do their job and not interfere in other people’s affairs.”

  • Video of Police Head Constable carrying differently-abled woman wins hearts

    A video of Head Constable of Multan has gone viral on social media in which he can bee seen carrying a differently-abled woman on his shoulders to take her inside the office of Ehsaas Kafalat Programme situated in Shujabad tehsil of Multan.

    The differently-abled woman had come to receive money from the the Ehsaas Kafalat Programme.

    As per details, a cash prize for the Constable has been announced by The City Police Officer (CPO) Multan. In addition to that an appreciation certificate will also be given to the officer for his kind gesture.

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  • ‘This shouldn’t have happened’: Waqar Younis on Younis Khan’s resignation

    ‘This shouldn’t have happened’: Waqar Younis on Younis Khan’s resignation

    Pakistan men’s cricket team bowling coach Waqar Younis regretted on Monday that former captain Younis Khan had stepped down as the batting coach of the team just days before the England tour.

    Read More – Younis Khan’s shocking revelations

    Addressing a virtual presser from the United Kingdom (UK), where Pakistan will be playing three One-day Internationals (ODI) and as many Twenty20 International (T20I) against England, Waqar said, “It’s unfortunate [Younis Khan stepping down as the batting coach] at the stroke of [a] big tour. It has happened, but this shouldn’t have happened.”

    Last month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had issued a statement announcing that the board and Younis had mutually agreed to part ways.
    Commenting on the development, PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan had said it was sad to lose an expert of Younis’ stature and experience.

    “Following a series of discussions, we both have reluctantly but mutually and amicably agreed that it was time to move in different directions.

    “I want to thank Younis for his contributions during his short stint as the men’s national cricket team’s batting coach and hope he will remain available to assist the PCB by sharing his vast knowledge with the emerging cricketers,” he had said.

    Commenting on the matter, Waqar said the PCB and Younis had both given explanations about their differences.

    The bowling coach added: “Younis was a great help… [and] his work ethic has always been good.”

    Waqar was also asked to share his views on reports of PCB chief executive Wasim Khan visiting fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who retired from international cricket last year.
    He said he was not aware of the development until the media reported it, adding that it was the PCB head’s prerogative whether to visit Amir or not.

    “But if Amir doesn’t want to play or take back his retirement … or impress the selectors, then it’s hard. You have to do the right things to play for your country,” remarked Waqar.

  • Woman claims she got eyesight back after getting first dose of Covid vaccine

    Woman claims she got eyesight back after getting first dose of Covid vaccine

    A 70-year-old woman, Mathurabai Bidve,  from Maharashtra, India claimed that she had regained her vision after taking the Covid-19 vaccine.

    As per reports, Mathurabai lost her eyesight nine years ago after cataract caused the iris to turn white. She claimed that she regained her vision after taking her first Covid jab last month.

    Photo Credits: Zee News

    Meanwhile, the elderly woman, who currently lives with her relatives, took her first dose of the Covishield vaccine on June 26. The very next day after taking the vaccine, she claimed that she gained 30 to 40 percent eyesight from one eye. It’s not yet confirmed by doctors if the woman’s claim is true.

  • ‘Stop making trends on Twitter, focus on your studies’: Shafqat Mahmood advises students

    Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood has advised Pakistani students to stop making trends on Twitter against exams and focus on the preparation for the upcoming exams.

    Speaking on Dawn News programme ‘Live with Adil Shahzeb’ Mahmood said that exams have already started in Sindh and will also commence in Punjab from Friday so there is no possibility of papers being postponed or cancelled.

    “I would advise the students to stop spending time on Twitter to make trends and that it is better to focus on their education. There is still time left for exam preparation,” says Mahmood.

    When asked about Pakistani students waiting to return to China, Mahmood said he has discussed the issue with the Chinese envoy and hoped that it will be solved soon.

    “Every country is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in its own way. We all know that China is a big country and there is a risk of the virus spreading there, so the Chinese government enforced the strictest restrictions and imposed a lockdown.”

    Earlier Mahmood had said that board exams for students of classes nine and 10 would be held only for elective subjects and mathematics while exams for students of classes 11 and 12 would be held for elective subjects only.

  • ‘Considering talking to insurgents’: PM Imran

    Prime Minister Imran Khan, while addressing an event in Gwadar, said that he is considering “talking to insurgents” in Balochistan, adding that the government would never have had to worry about the insurgency in the province if attention had been paid to its development.

    “It may be that they had grievances in the old times and may have been used by other countries … India may have used them to spread chaos but the situation [now] is not the same,” added the premier.

    The premier said that he had always thought that when the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) came to power, the government would pay attention to Balochistan because when the province progressed and there was peace, Balochistan’s people would “understand that Pakistan is also theirs”. PM said that then the people of Balochistan would say that they should also fight for Pakistan because it thinks of their basic needs and problems.

    PM Imran Khan during his one-day visit to Gwadar inaugurated Gwadar Free Zone, Expo Centre, Agriculture Industrial Park, and three factories.

  • ‘Hum Style Awards under water hoga’: Memes break the internet

    ‘Hum Style Awards under water hoga’: Memes break the internet

    The 5th Hum Style Awards were held in Lahore on July 4, 2021. The event was a star-studded affair. While we all were enjoying pictures and videos from the event, some people were busy filling our social media feeds with memes.

  • Best dressed celebrities at the 5th Hum Style Awards

    Best dressed celebrities at the 5th Hum Style Awards

    The biggest stars of the tinsel town hit the red carpet of Hum Style Awards 2021 yesterday and made it a star-studded affair. Some sizzled and others fizzled on the red carpet but here’s a list of celebrities who looked the best.

    These celebrities gave us major fashion goals:

    Maya Ali

    Maya chose a black gown with minimal accessories and simply rocked the elegant look with her magnificent aura and effortless confidence.

    Imran Ashraf

    Imran wore a black suit with white embroidery on it. The actor enhanced enhanced his look by wearing a bow.

    Ayesha Omar

    Ayesha wore a beautiful white gown with stunning embellishments on the front core of her dress.

    Aima Baig

    Aima Baig sizzled in a red gown and toppled her look with great hair and make-up.

    Bilal Ashraf

    Bilal looked dapper in a black suit.

    Urwa Hocane

    Urwa chose to wear a magnificent white gown with a big necklace headlining green stones.

    Sonya Hussyn

    Sonya Hussyn opted for a neon greenish suit with a ponytail. She looked unique in an otherwise gown gala.

    Mushk Kaleem

    Mushk Kaleem wore a grey gown with a modern cut.

    Emmad Irfani

    Emmad looked suave in a blue suit.

    Alizeh Shah

    Alizeh Shah opted for a full black barbie look gown. With her bobs and elegant earing, she was rocking her looks.

    Affan Waheed

    Affan looked great and exuded grace.

    Shahbaz Shigri

    Shahbaz wore a black suit with a red tie complimenting his ladylove’s dress.

    Ali Rehman

    Ali opted for a tuxedo. The Diyar-e-Dil actor was looking dapper with a side puff and beard.

    Ali Safina

    Ali Safina charmed us in a black suit and scarf.