A video of a cleric mercilessly beating up a student in a Faisalabad seminary went viral on social media leading to Thikriwala police arresting the man.
Qari Rizwan Liaqat of Saifabad locality of Faisalabad has also been accused of threatening the child’s father after he complained.
Rashid Bashir stated in his first information report that Qari Rizwan had severely beaten his 14-year-old son Saqlain at Jamia Ghousia Rizwia. Dawn reported that Iqbal Division SP Imran Munir Saifi visited the victim’s house and assured the father of justice for his son.
Pakistan Foreign Office spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has ruled out the possibility of downgrading the country’s relationship with China in order to improve relations with the United States, saying, “For us, relations with the United States and relations with China are both important.”
China is Pakistan’s all-weather strategic ally, Baloch stated, adding that the country will continue to strengthen this relationship.
When asked about Pakistan’s relations with the US, she said, “We would like to develop this relationship on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Office statement comes after US diplomat Donald Lu sought a $101 million assistance package for Pakistan from US Congress, saying, “China is the past in terms of investment, and we are the future.”
The American Basketball Association (NBA) announced 11-year global media rights deals worth $76 billion with Walt Disney, National Broadcasting Company (NBC) Universal, and Amazon. Spanning from 2025-26 to 2035-36, the deals will increase game coverage for U.S. and global telecast audiences and streaming viewers and increase the value of every NBA team and the salaries of basketball’s top superstars.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, “Our new global media agreements with Disney, NBC Universal and Amazon maximize the reach of NBA games for fans in the United States and worldwide.”
These partners will distribute our content across a wide range of platforms. The new deals will retain U.S. coverage on Disney-owned media outlets ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Peacock and ship a set of games to Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service.
Honda Atlas Cars Limited (HCAR) has announced plans to enter Pakistan’s hybrid vehicle market, potentially with the HR-V model, as it faces growing competition from rivals like Corolla Cross and Haval. This development was revealed during a briefing on the company’s financial results.
HCAR disclosed that it intends to invest Rs5 billion in establishing a hybrid vehicle manufacturing plant. However, the company did not provide a specific timeline for this initiative. A similar announcement was made in July of the previous year, but details regarding the vehicle model or its launch date remain undisclosed.
Analysts have expressed caution regarding the potential success of the new hybrid vehicle. JS Research analyst Wadee Zaman noted that the success of the model will hinge on its features and pricing.
The company reported that, despite no issues with opening letters of credit, subdued demand and economic challenges have led to a decline in revenues. HCAR also shared localisation levels for its models: Civic at over 60 per cent, City at 73 per cent, and both BR-V and HR-V at less than 50 per cent.
According to Topline Securities, HCAR benefited from a tax adjustment due to its history of minimum tax payments, which lowered its effective tax rate from 86.9 per cent to 15.2 per cent for FY23-24. Sohail also noted that about 10-15 per cent of the company’s imports come from Japan, with the remainder from Thailand, leading to minor gains from currency devaluation.
According to Business Recorder, HCAR is also exploring opportunities in spare parts and CPU part exports. The company highlighted that the auto sector has faced significant challenges this year, including a 2 per cent increase in the policy rate, which rose to 22 per cent by March 2024. This contributed to a 45 per cent decline in the overall passenger car market.
Looking ahead, HCAR anticipates a potential recovery in the industry during MY25, with improvements expected in the lower car segment and hybrids as the policy rate decreases. The sector is projected to regain a reasonable size within two years.
For the current year, HCAR recorded earnings of Rs1.42 per share, a 40 per cent increase year-on-year but an 85 per cent decrease quarter-on-quarter. Gross margins fell from 8.4 per cent to 6.5 per cent. The company’s management has assured that margins will remain competitive.
Tatyana Ozolina, called the most beautiful biker in Russia, died in a motorcycle accident in Turkey.
The 38-year-old travel vlogger from Russia, known to her fans as Moto Tanya, gained fame for travelling worldwide on a motorcycle. While travelling in Turkey’s Mugla province, her red BMW motorcycle collided with a truck and she died on the spot.
According to reports, the accident was so severe that she died before the medical team arrived. His co-rider, Onor Obit, survived the crash but is in critical condition, while a third rider with remained unharmed.
According to ‘The Sun,’ the accident was caused by a mistake by another motorcyclist in her group, forcing her to brake suddenly and lose control of the bike.
Due to the accident, she suffered severe head injuries and died before the ambulance arrived. She was the mother of a 13-year-old son.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently addressed the US Congress, and during his speech, he mentioned some Israeli soldiers who participated in the assault of Gazans after the October 7 events.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a speech to the US Congress, “Another Israeli is with us here today…this is Master Sergeant Ashraf al Bahiri. Ashraf is a Bedouin soldier from the Israeli-Muslim community of Rahat. On October 7th, Ashraf too killed many terrorists. First, he defended his comrades in the military base, and he then rushed to defend the neighbouring communities, including the devastated community of Kibbutz Be’eri.” Ashraf is of Ethiopian descent.
Netanyahu continued to say, “Like Ashraf, the Muslim soldiers of the IDF fought alongside their Jewish, Druze, Christian and other comrades in arms with tremendous bravery.”
More than 39,000 people in Gaza have been killed by Israeli forces over the last 10 months of genocide.
In a move that is set to impact the cost of mobile phones in Pakistan, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced a new 25 per cent sales tax on the import of Completely Built Up (CBU) mobile phones valued at over $500.
This change, detailed in the updated Sales Tax Act, 1990 and Federal Excise Act 2005, was issued on Wednesday and will remain in effect until June 30, 2025.
Under the revised legislation, mobile phones imported in CBU condition, with a value exceeding $500, will incur a 25 per cent sales tax. In contrast, phones valued at $500 or less will attract an 18 per cent sales tax.
Locally manufactured mobile phones in CBU condition, as well as those imported in CKD/SKD condition, will also be subject to an 18 per cent tax, regardless of their value.
This significant tax hike is likely to make high-end and mid-range smartphones even more expensive for Pakistani consumers. Devices from premium brands such as Apple and Samsung, which typically exceed the $500 threshold, are expected to see substantial price increases.
This is likely to further widen the gap between affordable and premium smartphones, potentially putting them out of reach for many buyers.
The new tax regime could also exacerbate existing market issues. Currently, some local retailers are exploiting perceived stock shortages and increased taxes to inflate prices, particularly in cities like Islamabad, Lahore, and Faisalabad. This trend could intensify as the new sales tax further drives up costs.
Compounding the issue, the FBR’s crackdown on illegal Gevey (JV) and IMEI-patched phones has not quelled the market for unofficial devices. The increasing prices of legal phones may drive consumers towards these unapproved alternatives, which are not officially PTA-approved.
The updated Sales Tax Act has also introduced a new definition of “tax fraud,” targeting deliberate understatement of tax liabilities or overstating entitlements to tax credits and refunds.
To tackle such issues, the FBR has established a Tax Fraud Investigation Wing-Inland Revenue, equipped with various units, including Fraud Intelligence and Analysis, Fraud Investigation, and Digital Forensics.
Overall, while the new tax measures aim to streamline revenue collection, they may place further financial strain on consumers and potentially inflame existing market challenges.
Bollywood fans have long wondered why they haven’t seen the duo of superstar Shah Rukh Khan and powerhouse Tabu in a film together. Despite their memorable cameo as a couple in ‘Saathiya’ and special appearances in ‘Main Hoon Na’ and ‘Om Shanti Om,’ a full-fledged collaboration has remained elusive.
In an interview with Galatta India, Tabu said, “I am neither a director, producer, or screenwriter, and I really don’t control who Shah Rukh Khan collaborates with. Alright? And which films will be produced as well as which films will be recommended to me next. I can only say yes or no from what is offered to me.” The Crew actor revealed, “I know what I have refused, and I am sure he has also refused a few.”
She did acknowledge that many people want to see Shah Rukh and her together. “And I won’t ignore that.” Among the notable films that could have featured this iconic pair were the blockbuster hits Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.
Despite these lost chances, Tabu’s clarity about what happened emphasises how unpredictable movie casting is and how many different things might affect an actor’s choice.
Bollywood stars gave some amazing gifts on the wedding of Mukesh Ambani’s son Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. The wedding ended on July 14 in Mumbai with many famous people in attendance.
Here are some of the standout gifts:
• Shah Rukh Khan and his wife, Gauri Khan, gifted the couple a luxury apartment in France worth INR 400 million. • The Bachchan family gave an emerald necklace worth INR 300 million. • Salman Khan gifted a sports bike worth INR 150 million. • Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone gave a customized Rolls Royce worth INR 200 million. • Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor gave a Mercedes car worth INR 90 million. • Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra gifted a handmade shawl worth INR 2.5 million. • Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal gave a gold chain worth INR 1.9 million. • Akshay Kumar, though he missed the wedding due to illness, gave a gold pen worth INR six million at the reception.
The wedding saw Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Rajinikanth, Ranveer Singh, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas dancing at the baraat. International celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Nick Jonas, and John Cena also attended.
July 24, 2024, was another day that will go down in history.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was enthusiastically welcomed at the United States Capitol to address Congress for the fourth time.
But this time, things were different.
On the streets of America, a large number of protestors swarmed in, carrying Palestinian flags, asserting their disapproval of the US state for hosting a man who has been deemed a war criminal by anti-genocide advocates worldwide.
Some protestors also reportedly released maggots and mealworms at the Watergate Hotel where PM Netanyahu, Israeli Mossad agents, and the Secret Service were to stay.
Back in May this year, Prosecutor Karim Khan at the International Criminal Court (ICC) called for arrest warrants for the Israeli PM and his associates for committing “war crimes and crimes against humanity” in Gaza.
As of yet, at least 39,145 people have been killed and 90,257 injured in Gaza since October 7 — the day when Israel began its deadly operations in the besieged strip, using Hamas’ attacks as justification for the bloodshed witnessed worldwide.
Are all Congress members supportive of Netanyahu?
More than 50 members reportedly boycotted or skipped the address, close to the 58 members who chose to abstain from attending Netanyahu’s 2015 speech.
Among the members are Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Bernie Sanders, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Punjabi-Hindu descendant Rep. Ro Khanna.
Pelosi criticised PM Netanyahu’s presentation in the House Chamber as “by far the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary invited and honored with the privilege of addressing the Congress of the United States.”
However, Rashida Tlaib, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan, attended the Israeli PM’s speech for all the right reasons.
Among the audience who gave Netanyahu a standing ovation on every claim, Tlaib stood out as the only hero in the room, wearing her Palestinian flag pin and a keffiyeh, holding a sign that read “guilty of genocide” on one side and “war criminal” on the other.
She is the eldest daughter of 14 kids who earned her bachelor’s in political science and Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2004. Rashida Tlaib then entered the Michigan state bar in 2007.
In 2022, she was re-elected to the U.S. Congress as one of the first two Muslim women (along with Ilhan Omar) and the first Palestinian woman.
“I will never back down in speaking truth to power”, she posted on X following PM Netanyahu’s speech.
“The apartheid government of Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians. Palestinians will not be erased. Solidarity with all those outside of these walls in the streets protesting and exercising their right to dissent.”
“Like December 7th, 1941, and September 11th, 2001, October 7th is a day that will forever live in infamy.”
“For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must stand together. Because when we stand together, something very simple happens. We win. They lose.
And my friends, I came to assure you today of one thing: we will win.”
‘I thank President Biden for his heartful support for Israel after the savage attack on October 7th. He rightly called Hamas “sheer evil.”’ President Biden and I have known each other for over forty years. I want to thank him for half a century of friendship to Israel and for being, as he says, a proud Zionist. Actually, he says, a proud Irish American Zionist.
“…the Muslim soldiers of the IDF fought alongside their Jewish, Druze, Christian and other comrades in arms with tremendous bravery.”
“As the Bible says, “עם כלביא יקום” —they shall rise like lions. They’ve risen like lions, the lions of Judah, the lions of Israel.”
“These protesters chant “From the river to the sea.” But many don’t have a clue what river and what sea they’re talking about.”
“For nearly four thousand years, the land of Israel has been the homeland of the Jewish people. It’s always been our home; it will always be our home.”
“Now, just as malicious lies were levelled for centuries at the Jewish people, malicious lies are now being levelled at the Jewish state.”
“The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has shamefully accused Israel of deliberately starving the people of Gaza. This is utter complete nonsense. It’s a complete fabrication.”
“The vast majority of Americans have not fallen for this Hamas propaganda. They continue to support Israel, and I want to say: Thank you America, and thank you, senators and house members who continue to support us, continue to support Israel, continue to support the truth and see through the lies.”
“If you remember one thing, one thing from this speech, remember this: Our enemies are your enemies, our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory.”
“The new alliance I envision would be a natural extension of the groundbreaking Abraham Accords. Those Accords saw peace forged between Israel and four Arab countries, and they were supported by Republican and Democrats alike.
I have a name for this new alliance. I think we should call it: The Abraham Alliance.”
