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  • Prince William reportedly contracted COVID-19 in April

    Prince William reportedly contracted COVID-19 in April

    Britain’s Prince William reportedly contracted COVID-19 in April at a similar time to his father Prince Charles, British media reported late on Sunday, citing Kensington Palace sources.

    William, grandson of Queen Elizabeth and second-in-line to the British throne, kept his diagnosis a secret because he did not want to alarm the country, The Sun newspaper reported.

    “There were important things going on and I didn’t want to worry anyone,” William was quoted by the newspaper as having told an observer at an engagement.

    He was treated by palace doctors and followed government guidelines by isolating at the family home Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, the newspaper said, adding he still carried out 14 telephone and video call engagements during April.

    “William was hit pretty hard by the virus – it really knocked him for six. At one stage he was struggling to breathe, so obviously everyone around him was pretty panicked,” a source told The Sun.

    BBC News also confirmed the news from sources late on Sunday, with Kensington Palace and the office of Prince William refusing to comment officially to the news outlet.

    According to royal reporter Chris Ship, Kate and the couple’s children did not test positive for the virus.

    The residence of William’s father, Prince Charles, had said on March 25 that Charles tested positive for the coronavirus. The heir to the throne had self-isolated at his residence in Scotland for seven days with mild symptoms.

    Britain has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak and has reported 46,717 COVID-19 deaths – defined as those dying within 28 days of a positive test. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday ordered England back into a national lockdown after the United Kingdom passed the milestone of one million COVID-19 cases and a second wave of infections threatened to overwhelm the health service. The one-month lockdown across England will kick in at a minute past midnight on Thursday morning and last until December 2.

  • Pakistan’s decision to lift lockdown early helped boost exports: report

    Pakistan’s decision to lift lockdown early helped boost exports: report

    Pakistan’s decision to loosen pandemic restrictions early has helped the country’s exports emerge stronger than its South Asian peers, Bloomberg reported on Saturday.

    Bloomberg reported that outbound shipments have grown at a faster pace than Bangladesh and India as textiles, which account for half of the total export, led the recovery.

    The country saw total shipments grow 7 per cent in September, compared with New Delhi’s 6pc and Dhaka’s 3.5pc.

    It stated that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s administration was the first in the region to ease pandemic restrictions, allowing export units to reopen in April, a month after locking them down to stem the spread of Covid-19. This helped draw companies from the South Asian nation.

    “Pakistan has seen orders shifting from multiple nations including China, India and Bangladesh,” the report quoted All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Secretary General Shahid Sattar as having said. “Garment manufacturers are operating near-maximum capacity and many can’t take any orders for the next six months.”

    Even as lockdown curbs disrupted trade in India and Bangladesh for at least two months beginning late March, Pakistan was already making face masks and personal protective gear for export.

    The South Asian nation also gained some orders from companies looking to diversify their supply chains amid the trade war between the U.S. and China, the world’s top textile exporter, despite factories there reopening as early as April.

    “This war between two giants has given us new opportunities in polyester-cotton products,” the report quoted the nation’s largest textile maker, Nishat Mill’s Garment and Home Textile Operations Head Khalid Mehmood having said. “So there is a six-month slot for Pakistan now to capture the maximum number of customers who were China-based.”

    Executives from Nishat Mills and Interloop Ltd, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of socks that counts Nike Inc. and Adidas AG among its clients, said they have seen some orders diverted to them from China.

    Meanwhile, Gadoon Textile Mills Ltd. received orders redirected from Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest apparel exporter, and India, the third-largest textile exporter.

    “The orders we were exporting to Europe and the US have not recovered,” Gadoon Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Muhammad Imran Moten said during an analyst briefing. “But the diversion of orders from China and Bangladesh is the compensating factor.”

  • Yasir Hussain reveals he once lived with a ghost

    Yasir Hussain reveals he once lived with a ghost

    Halloween means that everyone gets a chance to share their encounters with the supernatural.

    Yasir Hussain, while speaking to a local media publication, revealed that he once lived with a ghost.

    “I used to live in a two-bedroom apartment,” shared the actor. “While I lived in one of the rooms, a supernatural old man used to live in the other.”

    He continued: “I don’t know what he was but he never disturbed me. In the morning, he would come into the lounge and say his Fajr prayers and when my friends would come over, he would go into the kitchen and start moving the utensils. I would call out to him not to make noise because my friends were over and he would stop.”

    “I never got scared but my friends did,” said the actor.

    Read more – ‘Just better yourself’: Anoushey Ashraf hits back at Yasir Hussain

    Sharing another spooky incident, Yasir said that when he was shooting for horror drama Dareecha in a house in Karachi’s PECHS area, strange things would keep happening there.

    “Shoots would get stalled and things would move around themselves,” shared the actor. “One day, the woman from whom the house had been rented came around and said to one of the crew to take care of her son. He asked her where her son was and she said that he lived in the home.”

    “We later found out that someone had committed suicide in the home after which the woman had moved away and rented it out,” added the actor.

    Yasir, however, said that such things don’t bother him and he doesn’t get scared by them.

  • Forced conversions

    Forced conversions

    According to her parents, a 13-year old Christian girl Arzoo Raja was abducted by a man in his 40s, forcefully converted to Islam and then married to him. Then a local court dismissed the plea moved by her family to send her to a shelter home so that she was released from the custody of her older Muslim spouse. The court said that Arzoo Raja accepted Islam willingly and she told them that she was not abducted and was not forced to marry the 44-year-old.

    Even if the girl says she was not forced to convert to Islam and did it wilfully, how is child marriage being allowed? The husband says she is 18 and so does she in an affidavit but NADRA records show she was born in 2007. Her marriage certificate does not mention her age or details of her CNIC. A medical certificate needed to prove a person is 18 was not provided either. Legal experts say that child marriage is a very integral part of forced conversions. They say that the law against child marriage is inadequate. Some believe that all child marriages should be prohibited and declared invalid but legal age of girls is something that many religious leaders do not agree with.

    The National Commission for Minorities has finalised a draft law to curb forced conversions but the law will be finalised only after consultations with the provinces and the leaders of all schools of thought. Senate Committee on Minorities’ Rights led by Senator Anwarul Haq Kakar is also working on the issue of forced conversions by getting all stakeholders, from minorities to religious leaders, on board.

    Forced conversion of Hindu girls in Sindh is an issue that has been highlighted a lot. Minorities’ representatives say that why is it that only their girls are converted and not men. But in some cases, the conversions are not forced. They are be due to economic reasons or to get away from families but the tool to justify these conversions is consent. “Why is it that mainstream religious parties are never involved in conversion of girls from minority communities and only fringe groups like Mian Mithu’s, etc?” a parliamentarian questioned while speaking to The Current. They said that administrative laxity, if turned to agility, can decrease the cases of forced conversions.

    Despite laws, their implementation is more important. We hope the courts will not give a stamp of approval to child marriages and forced conversions. Minorities are as much citizens of Pakistan as the Muslims.

  • Villagers kill rare Indus dolphin near Nawabshah

    Villagers kill rare Indus dolphin near Nawabshah

    Villagers from Sindh’s Nawabshah district allegedly killed a rare Indus River Dolphin, also known as the blind dolphin. According to journalist Amar Guriro, who shared a video from the incident on social media, the dolphin was stranded in Gujjar Canal when the villagers caught it. In the video shared by Guriro, the villagers can be seen celebrating the man who caught the dolphin.

    Further reports revealed that the dolphin died due to injuries and mishandling.

    https://twitter.com/wildpakistan/status/1322135427034288133?s=20

    The official Twitter handle of the Sindh Wildlife Department also shared details about the incident and said that a criminal case is being registered against those involved in the incident.

    https://twitter.com/sindhwildlife/status/1322146810094387201?s=20

    Later, they announced that the “offender whose unlawful act of trapping Indus Dolphin that stranded in a minor irrigation canal has been arrested with the help of Sindh Police.”

    Meanwhile, several Twitter users including Fatima Bhutto, expressed their sadness over the incident.

    According to WWF-Pakistan, the Indus River dolphin is one of the world’s most endangered freshwater river dolphins. Currently, there are only about 2000 dolphins in the waters of the Indus.

  • CM Buzdar announces Rs 5 Billion relief package for Hafeez Center affectees

    Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar, during his visit to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce, announced a relief package of Rs 5 billion for the traders affected by the fire at Hafeez Center.

    According to details, the government will collaborate with Punjab Bank to provide soft loans up to Rs 1.6 billion to almost 207 victims to help them recover and resume their business activities.

    Punjab Bank has already started offering these loans to victims at a camp office in the IT tower. Soft loans will be given for shop purchases, renovation, construction, and purchasing of supplies.

    Meanwhile, Hafeez Center is currently sealed for inspection, and many traders have shifted their shops to other centers.

    According to reports, the rents of the nearby shopping plazas and centers have skyrocketed since the fire incident at Hafeez Center. Many traders have voiced their displeasure on the local administration’s decision to seal Hafeez center as they have not been able to resume their business, traders that have moved to nearby plazas are also willing to move back to Hafeez Center.

    It is being reported that the government’s initiative to provide the relief package will take some time to come to fruition.

  • VIDEO: Turkish chef Burak Ozdemir eats meal at Islamabad panahgah

    VIDEO: Turkish chef Burak Ozdemir eats meal at Islamabad panahgah

    Renowned Turkish chef Burak Ozdemir arrived in Pakistan today (Saturday) and ate Pakistani food at Islamabad panagah with several citizens there.

    Burak has become a global sensation with almost 500,000 followers on Twitter and 17.2million followers on Instagram.

    Upon his arrival in Pakistan, the celebrated chef said that both countries share an extraordinary harmony when it comes to cultures and food and he has traveled all the way from his country to experience what Pakistan actually looks like in reality.

    The chef became famous after one of his videos of making a giant-sized kebab, went viral on social media. The 26-year-old Turkey-based chef relishes cooking large-sized meals on camera.

    Talking to media in Islamabad, Burak said that he was happy to visit the country and thanked Pakistanis for their messages and support for the recent earthquake in Turkey’s Izmir.

    The two countries have always cherished excellent relations, he noted.

    He said that this time he will go back after a short trip due to the earthquake but promised to visit different cities including Lahore and Karachi when he visits Pakistan next time.

    “I will start learning to cook more Pakistani food, Today I will go to the shelter home and will cook Pakistani food there,” he said while telling about his plans for the day.

    “We love Kashmir,” the Turkish chef said, adding that he has especially come to Pakistan to eat Kashmiri food.

    https://twitter.com/HniaziISF/status/1322498468758380544?s=20

  • Halloween 2020 and the blue hunter’s moon

    Halloween 2020 and the blue hunter’s moon

    For the first time since World War II, people in all parts of the world will be able to see the October 31’s blue hunter’s moon.

    Halloween may look different this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, but we have a cool spooky spectacle to look forward to. October has not one, but two full moons — and because it’s 2020, the second one naturally falls on Halloween which is tonight. That gives this year 13 full moons instead of the usual 12.

    The blue moon seems rare; a full moon on Halloween across time zones is even rarer, an event that hasn’t occurred since 1944. There was a full moon on Halloween in 2001, but it was only visible in the Central and Pacific Time zones, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.

    However, the expected full Halloween moon again is to be seen in 2039, 2058, 2077 and 2096.

    October’s first full moon was the harvest moon on October 1, and the second is a rare full Halloween blue hunter’s moon.

    Harvest moon 2020

    The full moon that will be visible tonight is called the blue moon because it’s the second full moon of the same month. It’ll be a rare treat as the 2020 Halloween full moon will be visible to the entire world, rather than just parts of it.

    While the moon won’t actually look blue, the second full moon in one month is usually referred to as a blue moon. This happens every 2.5 to three years, or “once in a blue moon.”

    Typically, the next moon after the harvest moon is known as the hunter’s moon – when hunters used moonlight to hunt prey and prepare for winter.

    Each month of 2020 has brought its own surprises which have been comparable to many spooky memories and myths. When I got to know about the full moon on Halloween, the first thing that came into my mind was that if any spooky event will happen tonight.

    Back in my childhood, I used to watch a drama on PTV named Haqeeqat in which there was a little girl Muqaddas, who was possessed. She would occasionally turn into a monster and Halloween’s full moon reminded me of that.

    Twitter users also speculate that this Halloween, it is possible that the world will witness an unexpected event or someone will turn into a werewolf or a zombie or an apocalypse will take place tonight.

    https://twitter.com/SammieSavala/status/1322528507893850113?s=20

    What is your horror memory and can you relate to any story or myth on this Halloween? Do share with us in the comments section.

  • Four ‘spooky’ places in Pakistan

    Four ‘spooky’ places in Pakistan

    There are different places in some major cities of Pakistan that are believed to be haunted by the undead. Here is the list of few spooky legends that might make your Halloween a little more spooky.

    1. Red-dressed Bride at the Karsaz Road

    The main Karsaz Road in Karachi is known for being one of Pakistan’s most haunted destinations. Back in the 1960s, a newlywed couple was driving on Karsaz Road, when they got into a terrible road accident and died on the spot. Since then, the locals have reported that many people who take this route have witnessed a bride in a traditional red dress, walking alone on the road and disappearing after a few minutes.

    Source – Geo News

    2. Crying Fairies on Lake Saif-ul-Malook

    Even the beautiful lake in the Kaghan Valley is included in the category of the scariest places in Pakistan. Legend says that a Prince of Persia fell in love with Saif-ul-Malook’s fairy princess, but since the fairy was promised to a Demon, the union could not go through. The Demon killed them and it is believed that cries of the fairies, mourning the death of the two lovers, can be heard at night.

    A Night with stars and lake of fairies Saifulmalook Pakistan. Picture credits Xeeshan photography | Fairy land, Lake, Landscape

    3. Moving things at Mohatta Palace

    Mohatta Palace Museum located in Karachi is also one of the spookiest places in Pakistan. Back in 1927, the palace belonged to a Rajasthani businessman and is said to be haunted by his ghost ever since he died. Word on the street is that the guards have felt the presence of unseen creatures during their night duty, and have occasionally observed different things moving from their actual position.

    Mohatta Palace- A Remain of Divine Love

    4. Forty bodies at Koh-e-Chiltan Peak

    Located in the Balochistan province, Koh-i-Chiltan Peak means “forty bodies” in the local language. According to the natives, the area is surrounded by the spirits of forty babies who were left abandoned by their parents on the mountain. The peak is avoided by the locals, who are reported to have heard the noises of those children from the top.

    Koh-i-Chiltan - Ghoomlo.pk
  • ‘A legend has departed’: Fawad Chaudhry mourns Sean Connery’s demise

    ‘A legend has departed’: Fawad Chaudhry mourns Sean Connery’s demise

    Movie legend Sean Connery, who shot to international stardom as the suave British agent James Bond has passed away at the age of 90.

    According to BBC News, Sean died overnight in his sleep, while in the Bahamas. His son said that he had been “unwell for some time”.

    The Oscar-winning actor, who was best known for his portrayal of 007 in the popular movie franchise, was the first star to play the iconic role on the big screen and went on to appear in seven films. He was largely regarded as being the best actor to have played 007 in the long-running franchise, often being named as such in polls.

    Sharing the news on social media, Fawad said: “A legend has departed…Rest in Peace Sean Connery”.

    Adnan Sami also mourned the actor’s demise.

    Connery was raised in near poverty in the slums of Edinburgh and worked as a coffin polisher, milkman and lifeguard before his bodybuilding hobby helped launch an acting career that made him one of the world’s biggest stars.

    Tall and handsome, with a throaty voice to match a sometimes crusty personality, Connery played a series of noteworthy roles besides Bond and won an Academy Award for his portrayal of a tough Chicago cop in The Untouchables (1987).

    He was 59 when People magazine declared him the “sexiest man alive” in 1989.

    Connery was an ardent supporter of Scotland’s independence and had the words “Scotland Forever” tattooed on his arm while serving in the Royal Navy.

    When he was knighted at the age of 69 by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in 2000 at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, he wore full Scottish dress including the green-and-black plaid kilt of his mother’s MacLeod clan.

    The actor celebrated his 90th birthday in August this year.

    Some of his other noteworthy works include The Hunt for Red October, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Untouchables and The Rock.