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  • PCB refuses to issue NOC to Usama Mir for T20 Blast

    PCB refuses to issue NOC to Usama Mir for T20 Blast

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has refused to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Usama Mir for participation in T20 Blast.

    According to PCB, Usama Mir has not been given any more NOCs due to two league limit. Mir has played two leagues in the cycle from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.

    Usama had participated in The Hundred and the Big Bash League last year. PCB allows two leagues to contracted players to play in, apart from the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    Usama Mir was supposed to represent Worcestershire Rapids in T20 Blast, but now the team has canceled his contract after not getting NOC.

    T20 Blast franchise Worcestershire has selected West Indies’ Hayden Walsh to replace Usama Mir.

  • Govt expected to slash petrol price by over Rs5 per litre

    Govt expected to slash petrol price by over Rs5 per litre

    In a significant move to alleviate the burden of soaring inflation, the government is anticipated to reduce petrol prices by Rs5.3 per litre for the first half of June 2024.

    This expected decrease aligns with the recent decline in international petroleum prices, offering much-needed relief to the public.

    As of May 28, 2024, international price trends have shown a decrease, resulting in the ex-refinery price of petrol dropping to approximately Rs184.59 per litre from Rs189.86 per litre in the previous two weeks. This forthcoming reduction will mark the third consecutive cut in fuel prices, accumulating a total decrease of over Rs26 per litre.

    In addition to petrol, the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) is also expected to fall by around Rs4.1 per litre, reflecting a similar downward trend in its international price. This follows the recent reduction in diesel prices, where a second consecutive cut saw a drop of Rs7.88, bringing the price to Rs274.08 per litre.

    However, it is crucial to note that three more trading sessions remain before the final pricing update, meaning the ultimate prices could still be influenced by fluctuations in global markets and exchange rates.

    The government will announce the new fuel prices at midnight on May 31, 2024, which will then be effective for the first half of June. This development is poised to offer substantial financial relief to consumers, amidst one of the highest inflation rates in Asia.

  • Khan, Bushra Bibi get room coolers in jail

    Khan, Bushra Bibi get room coolers in jail

    Adiala jail administration has installed room coolers for founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to help them deal with the extreme heat in Rawalpindi.

    Prison sources also confirmed to The News that former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is incarcerated in Adiala jail in the cypher case, has also been provided with a room cooler.

    The jail administration has started providing additional facilities to inmates, including cold water and beverages, as well as extra water coolers that have also been installed throughout the jail premises.

    The Adiala jail administration affirmed that various measures have been put in place to protect inmates from the heat wave’s impact, as the weather in Islamabad and Rawalpindi is extremely hot.

  • When is Zul-Hajj moon expected?

    When is Zul-Hajj moon expected?

    The Meteorological Department has predicted that there is a strong possibility that the moon of Zul-Hajj will be visible on Friday, June 7.

    The Eid-ul-Azha will be on Monday, June 17, if the predictions around the Zul-Hajj moon stand true.

    The International Astronomy Center says that Islamic countries will witness the Zul-Hajj moon on Friday, June 7, according to the Al-Arabiya report.

    If the moon is visible, the first Zul Hajj will be on June 8, otherwise, it will be on Sunday, June 9, that is, the first day of 10 Zul Hajj Eid-ul-Azha will be on Monday, June 17, or Tuesday, June 18.

    However, the final announcement of the date of Eid-ul-Azha in Pakistan will be made by the central Moon Sighting Committee after the sighting of the Zul-Hajj moon.

  • Talks sirf unke sath hongi’ says former president Arif Alvi

    Talks sirf unke sath hongi’ says former president Arif Alvi

    Former President and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader Dr Arif Alvi reiterated that Imran Khan is ready to hold a dialogue but only with those “who could offer something”, Dawn reported.

    Alvi said that holding talks with those who had come into power through ‘Form 47s’ would be futile.

    Interestingly, during the interaction with reporters outside the Karachi Press Club, Alvi tried to downplay a social media post from Imran Khan’s account on social media which made a comparison with Pakistan’s current political turmoil with events during the fall of Dhaka, saying “It’s never about the whole institution but a few individuals”.

    However, the former president warned that the prevailing situation in the country was “pushing everyone towards a dead-end”.

    “We never invited the military to intervene in politics, but Imran Khan wants to talk to those who have the power to decide,” he said in response to a question.

    “If these talks aren’t held, it would further push everyone to a dead end,” warned the senior PTI leader.

  • Bollywood celebrities finally break silence on Israel’s genocide in Gaza

    Bollywood celebrities finally break silence on Israel’s genocide in Gaza

    After nearly seven and a half months, Bollywood’s top actors also broke their silence on Israeli aggression in Palestine.

    Following the Israeli military attack in the Rafah refugee camp, many Bollywood actors expressed their support for the defenseless Palestinians by condemning Israeli aggression.

    Bollywood celebrities including Priyanka Chopra, Sonakshi Sinha Malaikaarorao, and Alia Bhatt have joined the ‘All Eyes on Rafah’ post that’s gone viral on Instagram and other social media sites.

    Many other actors also became part of the ongoing ‘All Eyes on Rafah’ campaign, launched on various social media platforms in protest against the Indian government’s support for Israel.

    After the recent attacks at the refugee camp in Rafah, which killed 75 Palestinians, including a large number of women and children, it was revealed that explosive materials were used, causing those living in the camp to be burnt alive.

    The incident has prompted the International Court of Justice to issue an injunction against Israel’s actions in Rafah.

    The phrase ‘All Eyes on Rafah’ is a phrase that points to ethnic cleansing in Rafah. This phrase is trending on social media everywhere.

    A picture urging attention to Israeli aggression in Gaza has been shared and re-shared over 33.6 million times on Instagram in the last 24 hours.

  • ‘Lies, deceit, God knows what other lies’ Khan blames one General alone for his fall from power

    ‘Lies, deceit, God knows what other lies’ Khan blames one General alone for his fall from power

    Former Prime Minister Imran Khan gave an exclusive interview with renowned journalist Mehdi Hassan for his new platform Zeteo. Khan openly talked about his imprisonment experience, past regrets, and the country’s political situation.

    Mehdi Hassan clarified that he could only send a list of written questions and did not directly speak to him, nor could he ask a counter-question.

    Khan, who is currently incarcerated in Adiala jail, spoke about his ordeal in prison saying, “They employ psychological tactics to break my spirit, but my heart, fortified by faith in Allah, remains strong.”

    Hassan asked Khan whom he blamed for everything that had happened to him since the 2022 fall of his government and he replied, “After 11 months in prison, I am certain that this ordeal was orchestrated solely by General Bajwa. I hold no one else responsible.”

    The founder of PTI used strong words for the former Chief of Army Staff saying, “He meticulously planned and executed this scheme, presenting himself as a deceitful figure, creating lies and false narratives to cause both national and international chaos – all to secure his extension.”

    Khan blamed ex-COAS Bajwa for “painting him as anti-American due to his insatiable thirst for power. God knows what other lies he disseminated to various countries.”

    “My only regret is trusting General Bajwa,” he commented.

    Interestingly, Khan did not mention current Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir at all.

    Criticizing the ruling government he said, “This government lacks legitimacy. The PML-N barely won 17 seats in Parliament. The violence, torture, and pre-poll rigging were evident. After the elections, it took them nearly two days to alter the results.”

    Finally, Khan’s message was “There has been an attack on democracy and the right to self-determination of 250 million people”. He further called the February 8 general elections a sham which brought “more uncertainty and a greater trust deficit between the people and the ruling elite.”

  • Gold price surges by Rs2,400 per tola amid declining purchasing power

    Gold price surges by Rs2,400 per tola amid declining purchasing power

    In a notable upswing, the price of 24-karat gold in Pakistan surged by Rs2,400 on Wednesday, bringing the cost to Rs242,700 per tola.

    This increase reflects the ongoing volatility in the gold market, influenced by both domestic and international factors.

    Interestingly, the current price of gold remains Rs3,000 below its actual market value. This discrepancy is primarily attributed to a reduction in purchasing power, as reported by market analysts.

    The Karachi Sarafa Association disclosed that the price of 24-karat gold also rose to Rs208,076 per 10 grammes, marking an increase of Rs2,058.

    The price of 22-karat gold followed this upward trend, reaching Rs190,736 per 10 grammes. 

    Silver prices have also climbed, keeping pace with international trends. The price of 24-karat silver now stands at Rs2,900 per tola and Rs2,486.28 per 10 grammes, up by Rs100 per tola and Rs85.74 per 10 grammes, respectively.

    On the global stage, spot gold traded at approximately $2,345.04 per ounce, a decline of 0.66 per cent from the previous day’s closing. In contrast, spot silver maintained its strength, trading near $32 per ounce after recording a 1.36 per cent increase the previous day.

  • Two years since Sidhu Moose Wala’s death, parents keep son’s memory alive

    Two years since Sidhu Moose Wala’s death, parents keep son’s memory alive

     
    Today is the second death anniversary of the late Punjabi singer/rapper Sidhu Moose Wala, who was the ‘King of Punjabi music industry’ and ‘Heartthrob of Young Hearts’.
     
    On May 29, 2022, Sidhu Moose Wala was brutally murdered by gunfire in Jawaharke village of Mansa district on May 29, 2022. Over 30 bullets were fired at him.
     
     
    Lawrence Bishnoi, a renowned mobster, was later identified as the murder’s facilitator. The singer, a political activist who ran for office in the last election from Mansa on a Congress ticket but was unsuccessful, was the target of the attackers’ long-standing anger.
     
    The Indian police have been unable to locate the criminals and prosecute them, even after making many arrests. Today, the family of Sidhu Moose Wala has announced a unique ceremony to honor his memory.
     
     
    His mother has posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, saying, “We remember you, dear son Sidhu. We will never forget you, and your memory will always be alive in our hearts. This day is written in black ink in history.”

     
    Moose Wala’s father, Sardar Balkaur Singh Sidhu, has also posted a picture of his son and appealed for justice, using the hashtag #JusticeForSidhuMooseWala. He expressed his disappointment and frustration over the lack of justice, saying, “Justice has become a distant hope.”

     
    Sidhu Moose Wala’s parents, ‘Balkaur’and ‘Charan Kaur’, have recently welcomed their second son. ( Shubhdeep)

  • Extremist Indians slams Rohit Sharma’s wife for sharing post about Rafah

    Extremist Indians slams Rohit Sharma’s wife for sharing post about Rafah

    Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma’s wife Ritika Sajdeh has shared the viral post ‘All eyes on Rafah’ to express solidarity with Gaza. The simple act has led to attacks from extremist and bigoted Indians, who filled her comment section with hate.

    Many Indian artists have also shared the post and expressed their solidarity with Palestine.

    The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel not to attack Rafah, describing the humanitarian situation as disastrous, while Israel continues its genocide.

    The viral post (All Eyes on Rafah) on social media against Israeli atrocities refers to the genocide of Palestinians in the Rafah region of Gaza, where more than 1.4 million Palestinians are seeking asylum.