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  • NASA shares picture of snow-covered Himalayan ranges from space

    NASA shares picture of snow-covered Himalayan ranges from space

    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which often shares pictures of the planet as seen from the space, has shared a picture of the snow-covered Himalayan ranges.

    The long exposure shot sees not just the expanse of bright white mountain ranges but also captures the city lights of New Delhi and Lahore to the south and the arid Tibetan plateau, the “Roof of the world,” to the north.

    Among these details is also a faint, orange airglow of atmospheric particles reacting to solar radiation.⁣ The horizon of the Earth adds the element of the beauty of this universe.

    Following months of coronavirus lockdown, people were lucky to see the mighty Himalayan mountains from their cities due to reduced pollution.

    The Himalayas are the highest mountain range in the world and are a sight to behold even on Earth. But the shot NASA shared from space is absolutely breathtaking. The picture has gone viral on social media with over a million likes and comments.

  • VIDEO: Did Bilawal just refer to PTI ministers as Imran’s dogs?

    VIDEO: Did Bilawal just refer to PTI ministers as Imran’s dogs?

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has taken a dig at the ministers of Prime Minister Imran Khan, comparing them to the pet dogs of Imran Khan.

    On Sunday, when the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) was busy holding a massive gathering in Lahore, the PM chose to his spend his day with his dogs. The photos of PM and his two dogs also went viral on social media and made it to the press.

    These photos were considered by many an attempt to give the impression that the PM was not intimidated by the PDM power show.

    A reporter asked Bilawal to comment on the PM spending Sunday with his dogs on the day of the PDM’s much-hyped jalsa. The PPP chairperson responded that the reporter shouldn’t “use such words [dog] about the PM’s ministers”.

    On Sunday, the PDM held a massive rally at Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore. According to the opposition, hundreds of thousands of people attended the gathering, whereas the government’s estimates put the number at 15,000 max.

    This was a decisive rally of the first phase of the anti-government agitation, now the opposition has plans to march on Islamabad if Imran Khan fails to resign by Jan 31.

  • Karachi to get Pakistan’s first chess corner, Twitter hits gold

    Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, in a recent tweet, announced that Pakistan’s first chess corner is being built in Karachi and netizens have the most hilarious responses.

    Check out some of the funniest responses below:

    https://twitter.com/ABjeezExpert/status/1338501339710681088

    Some Twitter users thought that the new initiative was inspired by Netflix’s hit series The Queen’s Gambit.

    https://twitter.com/JawadKBaloch/status/1338630957218324480?s=20

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner also announced that signboards reading ‘I love Karachi’ in ten different international languages will also be displayed at the chess corner, giving rise to more memes as people compared the boards to tombstones.

    https://twitter.com/sibtehh/status/1338545369580531716

    https://twitter.com/hodornm/status/1338514560475598848

  • Govt seeks early Senate polls: report

    Govt seeks early Senate polls: report

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has decided to hold the Senate elections in February instead of March, reported Geo News.

    The decided to change the date of the polls was taken amid protests by the opposition parties, who have threatened to march on Islamabad in Feb if the prime minister fails to step down.

    Unlike previous elections of the upper house, this time the voting will be through ‘show of hands’, the report claimed. However, in order to change the Senate election procedure, the government will need an amendment for which it doesn’t have the required majority or approach the Supreme Court.

    Addressing a press conference following a weekly meeting of the federal cabinet, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said that the government is striving to make the Senate elections “free and fair”.

    “Controversies have always surrounded the Senate elections. It is such an old practice that it is assumed that in the elections, [horse trading] will surely take place,” he said.

    He said the government has decided to move the apex court regarding the reforms in Senate elections. “The government seeks an election that is conducted through a “show of hands”, Faraz said, adding that the government expects to get guidance from the SC long before the elections.

    “This is in favour of all parties,” he said.

  • Daler Mehndi praises Ali Pervez, Meesha Shafi’s ‘Gal Sunn’

    Looks like it’s a good day for Meesha Shafi. After Zoheb Hassan thanked her for paying a beautiful tribute to his late sister Nazia Hassan, Daler Mehndi has praised her and Ali Pervez’s song Gal Sunn from Coke Studio 2020.

    The celebrated Indian singer, in a heartfelt video message, praised the singers performance.

    “I am ecstatic! Ali Pervez Mehdi has sung an amazing track in Coke Studio. Like Ali, Meesha Shafi has done a brilliant job with Gal Sunn as well,” said Mehndi. “I’ve been waiting for years now for Ali to come out with a song in the music industry. We were always in awe of his father, Ustad Pervez Mehdi and just like me, I’m sure other fans of Ali’s father must be happy today to see how well his son is carrying his name forward. I wish Pervez Sahab was alive today to see his son’s success.”

    Mehndi’s video was shared by Ali on social media. Thanking the veteran musician, Mehdi said: “Such an honour Daler Mehndi pa ji! You are family to us! Can’t thank enough for your love and support stay blessed always! Love you!”

    Meanwhile, Meesha said that she felt extremely “honoured and humbled” with the praises.

    Gal Sunn, which has over 3 million views on YouTube is a catchy, upbeat folk song with a contemporary funk element. According to a press release, the song represents the longing between lovers.

    Talking about the song, Ali had said: “In these times, going through [Covid-19], I wanted people to listen to something positive and fun. That is why I created this song. I dance to it and I want everyone else to dance to it too!”

     

  • Kashif Zameer backs out of deal, pays half money to Ertugrul star

    Kashif Zameer backs out of deal, pays half money to Ertugrul star

    The man who hosted Dirilis Ertugrul star Engin Altan Düzyatan during his Lahore visit is allegedly facing at least eight cases, including those of fraud and robberies, and has not even paid the promised amount to the actor.

    As per reports, Zameer struck a deal of one million dollars with the Turkish actor but paid only half of it.

    According to reports, the eight alleged cases against Zameer are those of fraud, betrayal of trust, car theft and robbery.

    The cases have been registered against the managing director of Chaudhry Groups of Companies.

    In an interview with Daily Pakistan, Kashif Zameer said that a deal of Rs17 crore with Engin Altan has been finalized and he is the global brand ambassador of his company.

    Also Read: Ertugrul star’s Pakistani host breaks silence on fraud allegations

    Previously, the Turkish series star was planning to visit Pakistan as the brand ambassador for Blue World City. Later, it was revealed that the project was an illegal housing scheme and the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) had even filed charges against Blue World City.

  • Newsletter – 15th December 2020, Tuesday

    Newsletter – 15th December 2020, Tuesday









    *|MC:SUBJECT|*

    Good morning Subscriber. Today is Tuesday, 15th December and the weather is going to be cold and windy in most cities, while Karachi will be sunny. Speaking of Karachi, do you that the original name of the city was derived from a Baloch fisherwoman called Mai Kolachi. Log kahtay hain kay she founded a fishing village near Lyari, thus laying the foundation of the city.

    Morning Meme

    ‘PDM lawmakers to submit resignation on Dec 31’

    Fazlur Rehman announced that the 11-party alliance’s lawmakers would hand in their resignations from the provincial and national assemblies on December 31. “History would remember Lahore’s jalsa, just like it remembers the one held in the same place in 1940,” he said while asking his supporters to start preparing for February’s long march.

    Responding to Pakistan Democratic Movement’s announcement, Minister Asad Umar took a jibe at it, saying “I was afraid that if PM Imran Khan were sitting near a TV, he would start laughing and fall of his chair.” What do you think will happen on 31st December?

    A Pakistani developed COVID testing app

    A Pakistani doctor who is based in Toronto has launched an instant COVID-19 diagnostic test wo bhi bas ek smartphone ki madad say. The doctor highlighted that instant, precise and low-cost testing that does not rely on laboratory is vital in handling the pandemic. Pakistan High Commissioner to Canada Raza Bashir Tarar has congratulated Dr. Naqeeb Khalid for his achievement.

    Read on

    ‘Mujhe shaadi par koi nahi bulata’

    Actor Hira Mani has expressed her disappointment with Iqra Aziz, Sarah Khan, Sajal Aly, and Mira Sethi kyun kay inn sab nay unhay apni shadi pay nahi bulaya. In a recent interview with Sethi, she said that Pakistani celebrities do not invite her kyun kay wo sab unhay apna dost nahi samjhtay. When Sethi apologized to her, she replied “Don’t worry, I will invite everyone to Muzammil’s (Hira’s sons) wedding.”

    Read on

    Know your politician

    He is renowned for his ‘Awami Style’ and was made the interior minister in a cabinet reshuffle by PM Khan. He has been assigned 15 ministries in a 35-year-career span. Can you guess the politician? Watch the video to learn more about him in this week’s “Know Your Politician”
     

    Watch the video

    Current Baba’s prediction

    This is a great time for bringing a change in your life. So despite this freezing weather, you will finally take a bath and change your two days old clothes.

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  • Shoaib Akhtar says women should be allowed to wear whatever they want

    Shoaib Akhtar says women should be allowed to wear whatever they want

    Pakistan former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has opened up about his spiritual side. While the cricketer, also referred to as the Rawalpindi Express is known for his aggression and hard talk, in an interview insisted on revealing another side of himself.

    Read more – Tom Cruise in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ reminds Shoaib Akhtar of himself

    In the recent interview with Mira Sethi, Shoaib said, “In my life I have been taking lessons from Islamic scholars. I have read Islamic books for knowledge.”

    “Then the fantasy of life started again. From the age of 16 till 36, I left everything and lived my life. I saw the world,” he continued.

    He further said: “I’m not a scholar, but I’m very close to my religion. Our religion gives us freedom and advises us to give freedom to others too. Our forefathers were brilliant personalities as they were very close to our religion. I have even visited Karbala and it was a great experience.”

    Talking about women and their choice of clothing, he said, “If you can’t help women at least give them space. Whatever they wear, it is between them and their Allah. Who are you to say anything? [Tum mamay lagtay ho? Saray thanaydar ban kay aa jatay ho].”

    Talking about his wife, he said that she does the niqab and that it is her own decision.

    “I’ve never asked her to wear it,” shared Akhtar.

  • Meesha Shafi’s rendition of ‘Boom Boom’ gets a thumbs up from Zoheb Hassan

    Meesha Shafi’s rendition of Nazia Hassan’s iconic Boom Boom created waves across the country and had everyone grooving to the tune and remembering the late pop queen. The latest person to appreciate the rendition is Hassan’s own brother, Zoheb Hassan.

    In a message posted to social media, Zoheb lauded Meesha’s tribute to his sister as well as the song’s producer Bilal Maqsood.

    Responding to his message, Meesha said: “Of all the love and appreciation pouring in from all over the world, nothing can match the emotional value of this acknowledgement.”

    “This means the absolute world to me and all those who worked on this tribute.”

    “Millions of Nazia Hassan and Nazia-Zoheb fans continue celebrating their undying love for an iconic legend today just as passionately as they did decades ago,” she added.

    Boom Boom was released as part of the Velo Sound Station produced by Bilal Maqsood and co-directed by Bilal and Yasir Jaswal.

    Shafi, known for her powerful vocals and edgy style performed a dance club cover of Nazia’s 1982 pop hit. Her powerful voice with outstanding control and projection is heard reciting these evocative lyrics as the words waft down cloud-like on the oversize LED screen: “Can you feel this force, this sweet design. How our minds are together, how we are so aligned. Felt the hush in the world. The only sound I heard was the way you made my heart go Boom Boom.”

  • President okays anti-rape law for speedy trials, harsher sentences

    President okays anti-rape law for speedy trials, harsher sentences

    President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday approved Anti-Rape Ordinance 2020, under which special courts will be set up across the country to expedite trials of rape cases on a priority basis and award harsher sentences, such as chemical castration.

    The special courts will dispose of the rape cases within four months, as per the ordinance that also abolishes the ‘two fingers’ virginity test in the rape cases.

    The ordinance also suggests setting up of anti-rape crisis cells under the supervision of the prime minister, which will be authorised to conduct medico-legal examination within six hours of the incident.

    A record will be prepared at the national level with help of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to register the perpetrators of sexual abuse. The ordinance prohibits revealing of the identity of rape victims, making it a punishable offence.

    Police and government officials who show negligence in investigating the cases would be jailed for three years along with the imposition of fines. Additionally, police and government officials who provide false information would also be punished.

    On Nov 7, the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases had approved two ordinances to introduce harsher punishments, including chemical castration, for sex offenders.

    According to a statement issued by the law ministry at the time, the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Ordinance, 2020 and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 would introduce the concept of chemical castration mainly as a “form of rehabilitation”.

    Responding to the new ordinances after their approval by the cabinet in November, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman had expressed her displeasure over lowering the statutory age for rape to 13 from 16.

    “The age of alleged ‘consent’ has been moved to 13 from 16 in the new ordinance, which is terrible,” commented the lawmaker. “How will an adolescent be responsible for ‘consent’. This makes younger children even more vulnerable.”