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  • ‘Enough is enough’: Mo Salah urges world leaders to end violence in Palestine

    ‘Enough is enough’: Mo Salah urges world leaders to end violence in Palestine

    Egyptian footballer Mohamed Salah has called on world leaders to “do everything in their power” to end the killing of innocent people in Palestine, where at least 36 people, including 10 children, have been killed by Israeli airstrikes. At least 250 others were injured.

    Salah’s appeal came as the Israeli military continued it’s bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip on Tuesday, targeting several areas after rockets were fired from the enclave.

    In a tweet on Tuesday, Salah specifically called on Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson “to make sure the violence and killing of innocent people stops immediately”.

    “I’m calling on all the world leaders including on the Prime Minister of the country that has been my home for the past 4 years to do everything in their power to make sure the violence and killing of innocent people stops immediately,” Salah said on Twitter.

    “Enough is enough,” he added.

    Meanwhile, West Indian cricketer and coach of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi Daren Sammy also condemned Israeli attacks in Palestine saying: “I just can’t understand why it is so difficult to treat others as you would want to be treated, or even better yet treat each others as human beings.”

    Similarly, Pakistan Cricket Team’s opening batsman Fakhar Zaman said: “Israeli forces continue to attack innocent worshipers at Al-Aqsa with illegal confiscation of lands evicting Palestinians from their homes with all illegal measures to undermine prospects for global peace.”

    “Sometimes I feel how unfair the World has become with selective justice,” he added.

    Ahmad Shahzad is also “devastated by the violence happening in Palestine.” He also demanded immediate action against this violence.

    Meanwhile, many celebrities from Pakistan and other parts of the world including Gigi Hadid have raised their voice against the brutality of Israeli forces in Palestine. From Mahira Khan to Asim Azhar and from Shahid Afridi to Babar Azam, all are raising their voice against the abominations of Israeli powers on Palestinians.

  • Vaccination registration for ages 30 and above to start from Sunday

    Vaccination registration for ages 30 and above to start from Sunday

    The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Wednesday allowed citizens aged 30 and above to sign up for Covid-19 vaccination from Sunday (May 16).

    Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar tweeted, “As vaccine supply continues to improve and vaccination capacity gets enhanced in all Federating units, we continue to expand the categories of those who are eligible to get vaccinated.”

    Asad Umar announced that from Sunday, registration will be open to all 30 years and older citizens for Covid-19 vaccine.

    On May 3, Pakistan opened registration for the coronavirus vaccination for people aged between 40 to 49 years across the country.

    Special Assistant to CM Punjab for Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan tweeted that the corona vaccine will be given to the journalist community on a priority basis.

    “The process of vaccinating Punjab journalists will begin after the Eid holidays,” Firdous tweeted.

    A digital portal has been launched by the federal government for the registration through which a code is assigned to the person and then they can go to a designated vaccination centre and get a jab.

  • ‘I am PM of Pakistan and we stand with Palestine’ – PM Khan on Twitter

    ‘I am PM of Pakistan and we stand with Palestine’ – PM Khan on Twitter

    Bloodshed between Israel and Hamas escalated overnight, with at least 35 Palestine Muslims killed in Gaza and five people killed in Israel in the most intensive aerial exchanges for years.

    https://twitter.com/aqadir97/status/1392337789480431619

    Israel carried out hundreds of air strikes in Gaza into the early hours of Wednesday, and Gazans fired multiple rocket barrages at Tel Aviv and Beersheba in response.

    One multi-story residential building in Gaza collapsed and another was heavily damaged after they were repeatedly hit by Israeli air strikes.

    Prime Minister Khan tweeted in solidarity with Palestine, saying “I am PM Khan and we stand with Palestine”.

    As tensions rise between Palestinians and Israelis, the international media, social media noticed that the coverage of the international press was incredibly one-sided.

    Financial times wrote: “Hamas rocket attacks provoke Israeli retaliation in Gaza.”

    The Economist’s headline for the brutality of Israel on the Palestinians was : “Israel exchanges fire with Hamas as tensions in Jerusalem boil over.”

    BBC reported saying, “Pleas for calm as Israel-Gaza violence erupts”.

    The New York Times read: “After raid on Aqsa Mosque, Rockets From Gaza and Israeli Airstrikes”.

    As tensions rose between Palestinians and Israelis, people voiced their concerns and sympathies on social media.

    U.N. Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland tweeted: “Stop the fire immediately. We’re escalating towards a full scale war. Leaders on all sides have to take the responsibility of de-escalation.

    “The cost of war in Gaza is devastating & is being paid by ordinary people. UN is working w/ all sides to restore calm. Stop the violence now,” he said.

    The world reminded the people of Palestine that they are not alone is such devastating times.

    Human Rights Minister in PM Khan cabinet, Shireen Mazari said, “Palestinians prevented from praying in Al Quds mosque & killing of innocent Palestinians in Gaza incl children – & all UN can do is express ‘concern’.”

    ” OIC also needs to move beyond rhetoric on Palestine & Kashmir,” she added.

    However, this has been the heaviest offensive between Israel and Hamas since a 2014 war in Gaza, and prompted international concern that the situation could spiral out of control.

  • Gigi Hadid and Mia Khalifa stand up for Palestine: What’s going on?

    Gigi Hadid and Mia Khalifa stand up for Palestine: What’s going on?

    Models Mia Khalifa and Gigi Hadid have taken a stand for Palestine on Twitter and Instagram against Israeli violence in Palestine.

    https://twitter.com/miakhalifa/status/1391778314843344896
    Mia’s tweet was trending in Pakistan Tuesday night
    Gigi Hadid posted about Palestine on her Instagram stories

    RELATED: Mahira Khan, Babar Azam, Maya Ali among others condemn Israeli brutality in Palestine

    Confused about what’s going on in Palestine? Here is the breakdown:

    It started in the early days of Ramzan when Israeli forces tried to block off areas where Muslim worshipers would gather after the evening prayer. After mass protests by Muslims in the area, the blockade was lifted. But that was not the end. Israeli police then tried to hamper the movement of buses carrying Muslim worshipers to the Old City in Jerusalem, where the third holiest mosque in Islam, Al-Aqsa is located. The police said they were trying to find specific people on the buses. But it was seen as an attempt to slow down Muslims from gathering at Al-Aqsa for prayers.

    A man says his prayers while surrounded by Israeli police in the Old City

    Parallel to what was happening in the Old City, fifteen minutes away, in the Palestinian neighbourhood of Al-Jarrah, Israeli settlers were trying to forcibly remove Palestinians from their homes. These homes had been given to the Palestinians in 1948 when Israeli was created, and the area was and has been predominantly Palestinian. A Jewish group is claiming that before the land was given to the Palestinians in 1948, the land belonged to the Jews. With what is being seen as help of the Israeli state, four Palestinian families were forcibly evicted from their homes. Protests erupted in the neighbourhood of Al-Jarrah and 15 minutes away, in the Old City, protests were ongoing against the Israeli state, leading to mass protests in Jerusalem.

    Protests in Al Jarrah

    During the protests, hundreds of Palestinians were wounded after being shot at, beaten and arrested. After seeing the protests in Jerusalem, Palestinians in Gaza also began to protest in solidarity. At least 24 Palestinians were killed in Israeli air raids, according to the Palestinian health ministry, after Hamas launched rockets towards Israel. Nine children were killed in the attack with more than a 100 injured.

    Video of a residential building destroyed by Israel in Gaza

    Meanwhile, in the Old City, Israeli forces stormed the compound where Al-Aqsa mosque is located, and Palestinians were praying and also peacefully protesting. Israeli police fired rubber-coated bullets, tear gas and sound bombs at the Muslim worshippers. More than 180 Palestinians were injured.

    Israeli Jews gather to celebrate trees catching fire near Al-Aqsa Mosque

    As tensions rose between Palestinians and Israelis, a tree in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound was lit on fire. It is unclear how it caught fire but when it did, Israelis came out to their holy site underneath the compound and danced, watching the trees near Al-Aqsa burn.

    In the most recent news, the Israeli high court has postponed a ruling that allowed for forced expulsions of the four Palestinian families in Al-Jarrah, which is a victory for the Palestinians. How long it lasts is still to be seen.

  • Sexify Trending In Pak?

    Sexify Trending In Pak?









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    Hey, *|MERGE1|*, It’s May 11th! ?Most of us are in holiday mode right now and have a lot of time on our hands. Since we cannot go outdoors, watching a movie or a TV show is the only entertainment we can get…right? ? Saba Qamar has raised a question that many Pakistanis have been asking over the past month: Why is ‘Sexify’ trending at number one on Netflix Pakistan? That too in the month of Ramzan? 

    Also, if you have any questions for our Prime Minister, you can call him today, because he will be taking your live calls at 1:30 pm. ?A sandstorm is expected in Karachi today, and it will rain in Peshawar. ☂️Will be burning in Lahore, and sunny in Islamabad and Quetta.  
     

     
         Laila-Th    e Current 

    Morning Meme

    Your Daily Horoscope 

    The main highlight of today is having conversations! Check your today’s horoscope 

    TOP PICKS FOR YOU

    Nida Yasir returns to acting after ten years
     

    After a long hiatus from the screen as an actor, Nida Yasir is all set to return with an Eid telefilm titled Uff Yeh Biwiyaan.

    Does the PM carry the ‘begging bowl’ with him everywhere? ?

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday chastised  Prime Minister Imran Khan, blaming him for not caring about the common man’s problems in Pakistan.

    Arif Lohar’s wife passes away

    Renowned Pakistani folk singer Arif Lohar’s wife passed away in Lahore on Sunday.

    Babar Azam makes history, sweeps Zimbabwe Test series
     

    Babar Azam has become the first Pakistan captain to win his first four Tests as skipper as they swept the series against Zimbabwe 2-0 in Harare Sports Club on Monday.

    STORIES YOU CAN’T MISS… 

    Accusations against Gilani

    Dr Shahbaz Gill ne recently Yousaf Raza Gilani per ilzam lagaya kay woh Senate ki cars ko as a taxi service use karte hain.  

    Shahbaz Gill accused Gilani on the basis of a video jis mein a person can be seen dropping someone off in the car allocated to Gilani.

    Lekin, Gilani’s son has denied the accusations, saying “a driver of used the Senate car to drop another driver to a (bus stand/taxi stand) without Yousaf Raza Gilani’s permission. This does not concern Yousaf Raza Gilani at all and the Senate can take appropriate action against the employees.” 

    Read On

    Coronavirus vaccination centres to remain closed for two days on Eid ul Fitr ?

    As per media reports, coronavirus vaccination centres will remain closed on the first two days of Eid across the country and will remain closed in Sindh for the third day as well. 

    There is a complete ban on tourism, for both locals and outsiders in the country and will remain in place till May 16.    

    Pakistani short film ‘Darya Kay Iss Paar’ wins three awards at NYC Film Festival

    Pakistani short film ‘Darya Kay Iss Paar’ has bagged three major awards at the New York City International Film Festival.  

    The short film won awards including Best Short Film, Best Director and Best Leading Actress (Khaba Aziz). The film is based on the stigma attached to mental health. 

     The film has been produced by Nighat Akbar Shah and directed by Shoaib Sultan. 

    New York City International Film Festival was founded in 2009 to celebrate the art of film. 

    Read On

    ON THIS DAY

     
    MANTO’s BIRTH ANNIVERSARY
     

    Today marks the birth anniversary of Saadat Hasan Manto, born in Ludhiana in 1920. He was a writer whose life story became a subject of intense discussion. Manto is considered to be one of the greatest writers of short stories that South Asia has produced. His words continue to haunt generations because of their prophetic nature.

    CURRENT BABA’S WISDOM FOR TODAY 

     
    Rozay khatam hone walay hain and this is the best time to fix your routine.

     
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  • Matt Damon is rooting for ‘Bennifer’ reunion

    Matt Damon is rooting for ‘Bennifer’ reunion

    Matt Damon has said that it would be “awesome” if his best friend Ben Affleck and his ex-beau Jennifer Lopez are really back together.

    When asked on the Today show about Ben and Lopez’s latest photographs, Damon at first said: “There’s not enough liquor in the world for you to get me to say something about that.”

    However, he later admitted that like the rest of the world, he too, would love to see the exes give their relationship a chance again.

    “I love them both,” said the Oscar winner. “I hope it’s true. That would be awesome.”

    Earlier this week, the Daily Mail published photos which showed Affleck, 48, and Lopez, 51, heading to the airport in Montana together and then arriving in Los Angeles. According to details, the two celebrities — who broke off their very public engagement back in 2004 — attended a party together at a luxury ski resort in Montana. It is believed that Affleck owns a chalet there. Reports have also claimed that the two spent “about a week” together at the club and “were alone” during their stay.

    While it was earlier reported that the two were just reconnecting as old friends after Lopez’s recent breakup with Alex Rodriguez, the Montana trip has sparked rumours that the two are perhaps more than “just friends”. It has been reported that the two reconnected over email when Affleck reached out to J Lo while she was in the Dominican Republic, writing that she looked beautiful in her recent photographs for Shotgun Wedding. The pair reportedly continued communications over the next couple of weeks.

    Affleck and Lopez were engaged in 2002 and dubbed “Bennifer.” Their relationship appeared to hit the rocks in 2003 when they postponed their wedding and ultimately broke up in January 2004. After their split, Lopez married Marc Anthony in 2004 with the couple welcoming twins in 2008. On the other hand, Affleck married Garner in 2005 and the two welcomed three children together. Lopez later divorced Anthony in 2014, while Affleck and Garner divorced in 2018.

    Meanwhile, Rodriguez is said to be “shocked” with Lopez and Affleck’s photographs, as he reportedly believed that he and Lopez would get back together after a break.

    “A-Rod is shocked that J Lo has moved on,” reported E! News. “He truly thought they would be able to make it work and reconnect. He has been reaching out to J Lo trying to meet with her and she has been very short with him.”

    JLo Alex Engagement
    Jennifer Lopez with Alex Rodriguez

    The report, quoting a source, further said that Rodriguez is “saddened” by Lopez’s vacation with Affleck, so much so that he’s reached out to her to let her know “he’s upset.”

    However, Jennifer is “not interested in rekindling anything with A-Rod and is done”.

  • Prince Harry teams up with Oprah for series on mental health

    Britain’s Prince Harry and US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey will premiere their television documentary series on mental health issues later this month, with singer Lady Gaga and actress Glenn Close among those contributing.

    The Me You Can’t See series, co-created and produced by Harry and Winfrey, will feature stories from high-profile guests and others across the world about mental health and emotional well-being issues, Apple TV+, the streaming service which will air the programmes from May 21, said on Monday.

    Winfrey said the series aimed to spark a global conversation, and replace the shame surrounding mental health with wisdom and compassion. Among those participating will also be basketball players DeMar DeRozan from the San Antonio Spurs and Langston Galloway from the Phoenix Suns, Apple said.

    “The majority of us carry some form of unresolved trauma, loss, or grief, which feels – and is – very personal,” Harry said in a statement.

    “The last year has shown us that we are all in this together, and my hope is that this series will show there is power in vulnerability, connection in empathy, and strength in honesty.”

    The prince, the sixth-in-line to the throne, has publicly spoken of his own mental health battles and dealing with the grief of the death of his mother Princess Diana who was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997 when he was just 12.

    In March, he was named first chief impact officer of BetterUp Inc, a service that provides employee coaching and mental health assistance.

    The TV series is one of the first ventures by Harry since he and his wife Meghan stepped down from official royal duties and moved to California to forge new independent careers. The couple have also signed deals to deliver programming for Netflix and to produce and host podcasts for Spotify.

    It also comes after the couple’s explosive TV interview with Winfrey in March, which included Meghan accusing one unnamed royal of making a racist comment about their son Archie before he was born and plunged the monarchy into its biggest crisis in decades.

  • Mahira Khan, Babar Azam, Maya Ali among others condemn Israeli brutality in Palestine

    With Jerusalem under attack, people across the world are raising their voice against human rights violations by Israeli police against the people of Palestine. As per reports, at least 24 people were killed including 9 children in the recent air raids on Gaza.

    Tensions escalated in Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank and Gaza throughout the month of Ramzan, amid growing anger about potential forced expulsions of Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah, on land claimed by illegal Jewish settler, Al Jazeera has reported.

    Several Pakistani celebrities including Mahira Khan, Ahsan Khan, Maya Ali, Feroze Khan and Amir Khan have condemned the Israeli brutality in Palestine and called for the world to take action.

    “Call it out. Call it what it is. Terrorism,” said Mahira Khan, adding Palestinian Lives Matter.

    “The world is standing by and witnessing a massacre in the whole month of Ramzan in Jerusalem,” said Ahsan. “Allah will not forgive us if [we] remain silent.”

    https://twitter.com/Ahsankhanuk/status/1391849619282440200

    Internationally acclaimed boxing champion Amir Khan also stood in solidarity with the people of Palestine by putting up the flag of Palestine in his home in the United Kindgom (UK).

    Praying for the people of Palestine, captain of the Pakistan cricket team Babar Azam said: “We just have to be human to stand up for humanity.”

    Feroze Khan, Sami Khan and Muhammad Amir expressed their support by using trending hashtags to give more traction to the cause.

    Neelum Muneer, Naimal Khawar, Ali Rehman Khan and Faysal Quraishi were also among those who condemned the violence in Palestine.

    “Where is the justice?,” questioned Sheheryar Munawar.

    Earlier, Asim Azhar, Shahid Afridi and Farhan Saeed also called out Israel for their atrocities against the people of Palestine.

    Meanwhile, the Government of Pakistan and Prime Minister Imran Khan have also condemned the incident and have “reiterated their support for the Palestinian people.”

  • Deal with Amazon will transform Pakistani businesses, says PM Khan

    Deal with Amazon will transform Pakistani businesses, says PM Khan

    Amazon has added Pakistan to its list of seller countries with Pakistanis now able to create accounts using Pakistani credentials and details. PM Khan said that the deal with Amazon will open new prospects for entrepreneurs and businesses in Pakistan. This new avenue will transform Pakistan’s economy as more sellers from the country will be able to sell on the International platform.

    No Talks with India

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has categorically said that Pakistan is not returning to the negotiating table with India till New Delhi reverses its August 5 decision of scrapping Article 370.

    He said this while responding to a question regarding human rights abuses in India and a muted response from the international community during a live Q&A session with the public.

    PM Imran Khan under the programme “Aapka Wazir- e-Azam Aap Kai Sath” took calls from the public over an array of issues that included corruption, inflation, relations with India, problems with the tourism sector, the government’s housing societies, work efficiency of his team and Pakistani embassies abroad.

    Rule of Law

    In response to a question as to why there was no rule of law in Pakistan, the prime minister said the powerful and the weak should both be equal before the law.

    He said it would take time for change to take shape in Pakistan, adding that expecting the country to be reformed overnight would only lead to disappointment. “I can’t turn on a switch and rivers of milk will flow,” he said.

    The prime minister said fighting the status quo and mafias was the only reason he had become a politician in the first place.

    Ill -treatment of Pakistani diplomats

    One caller complained about the ill-treatment meted out to him by a foreign embassy to which the prime minister spoke about his recent public criticism of Pakistani diplomats. Khan praised Pakistan’s embassies, saying that they had rendered great services for Pakistan, especially when it comes to highlighting the Kashmir issue in front of the entire world. Referring to his live conversation with envoys, PM Khan said the “programme should not have been broadcast live” and only excerpts from that session should have been shared.

    Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed his reservations over the live coverage of the virtual meeting and said, “In-house meetings have norms of their own and their respect is obligatory on all.”

    Sugar scandal

    Replying to another caller on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen’s case, PM said: “There won’t be any injustice with anyone, but I promise the masses that I won’t spare the sugar barons. I won’t grant them an NRO.”

    He cited the example of PML-N leader Shehbaz Sharif, saying that he was accused of misappropriating Rs 7 billion. “This is just one case against him; there are many others registered against him [Shehbaz Sharif],” he said, adding that it was just the “tip of the iceberg”.

    Inflation

    The prime minister addressed the inflationary situation in the country and said increased prices of basic commodities bothered him the most. “We have appointed Shaukat Tarin finance minister to slash inflation and increase growth,” added Khan.

    Performance of ministers

    The premier said that several ministers are doing a remarkable job and added, “For those who aren’t, I can only say that we will then have to change the team.”

    Palestine massacre

    Responding to a caller, the prime minister condemned atrocities committed by Israel against unarmed Palestinians, regretting that violence had taken place on the holy night of Ramzan 27 and at Al-Aqsa mosque.

    Follow SOPs to avoid lockdown

    PM once again urged people to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) to save themselves from the coronavirus and to avoid another countrywide lockdown.

  • Fahad Mustafa donates Rs 2 million for Hindu minor suffering from thalassemia

    Fahad Mustafa donates Rs 2 million for Hindu minor suffering from thalassemia

    Fahad Mustafa has donated Rs 20 lakh for a Hindu minor boy suffering from thalassemia during a live transmission.

    A video recently went viral of a Ramzan live transmission hosted by Waseem Badami and Iqrar-ul-Hasan where JDC Foundation’s Zafar Abbas came along with a Hindu doctor whose minor son was suffering from thalassemia.

    During the show, the father told how he has helped everyone and there were times when he treated without taking fees but when he came to know about his son’s deteriorating health, even most of the charitable organizations backed by stating that the charity is for Muslims only. 

    According to the father, his son has only 15 months left to get proper treatment after that it can get complicated which costs Rs 40 lakh (4 million). He also lamented how there are no basic medical facilities for minorities of Pakistan.

    However, during the live show, actor turned producer and now one of the leading game show hosts Fahad Mustafa called and pledged to donate Rs 20 lakh at the very moment.  The Jawaani Phir Nahi Aani actor also requested others to donate for the kid to meet the required amount.

    When Iqrar asked about the inspiration behind his decision, the actor said: “I don’t know, I don’t usually feel that way. But when I saw him, I had to call. May Allah give him long life and Allah will definitely give long life to this kid.”

    You can watch the video here: