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  • A hundred pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at New York’s Columbia University

    A hundred pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at New York’s Columbia University

    Police arrested more than 100 pro-Palestinian student protesters at New York’s Columbia University Thursday, a day after the president of the prestigious school was grilled in Congress over accusations of anti-Semitism on campus.

    “NYPD officers moved in to ensure the safety of the campus, the students and the staff made more than 108 arrests, and the NYPD ensured that there was no violence or injuries during the disturbance,” New York Mayor Eric Adams said during a press conference.

    The arrests and dismantling of tents that had been erected Wednesday also attracted a crowd of other demonstrators in support, according to an AFP journalist.

    According to The New York Times, the daughter of Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar was among those detained and she has been ordered to appear in court.

    The students were calling for the school, which has an exchange program with Tel Aviv University, to boycott all activities associated with Israel in light of the country’s war with Hamas and the ensuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

    University president Nemat Shafik requested police intervention to disperse the protesters, who she said had violated campus security regulations.

    Universities have become the focus of intense cultural debate in the United States since the October 7 attack and Israeli genocide in Gaza, as many students’ pro-Palestinian sentiments drew accusations of anti-Semitism.

    Congressional Republicans have taken up the issue, calling the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University to testify, and Harvard’s president Claudine Gay resigned shortly after.

    Shafik herself appeared in Congress Wednesday, where she said “anti-Semitism has no place on our campus.”

  • Pakistani captain slaps Indian opponent before Karate Combat 45 match in Dubai

    Pakistani captain slaps Indian opponent before Karate Combat 45 match in Dubai

    Pakistan karate team captain Shahzaib Rind slapped Indian captain Rana Singh during a pre-match press conference held in preparation for Karate Combat 45. The main event will take place tonight in Dubai.

    Shahzaib and Rind started inciting India-Pakistan hostility. Soon things took a turn for the worse as Rana Singh abused Shahzaib Rind and also spoke highly obscene things about his mother.

    Shahzaib and Singh got into a scuffle after coming face to face and had to be separated by security personnel at the press conference.

    The popularity of combat sports is growing at an impressive rate with each passing year and the wave of popularity has spawned a wave of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotions.

  • Four bookmakers caught during IPL match

    Four bookmakers caught during IPL match

    The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has identified four bookmakers from Mumbai and Jaipur during Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, expelling them both from the stadium.

    According to reports, the bookies were kicked out of the president’s box at the Wankhede Stadium during a match between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians, while two other bookmakers were kicked out of the Jaipur Stadium during a match between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals.

    Bookies gain access to stadiums during most matches to eliminate the time lags often seen in live broadcasts, an activity infamously known as ‘pitch sliding’.

    In 2013, IPL was rocked by a major spot-fixing scandal where three Rajasthan Royals players were detained and eleven bookies were also arrested in the case. This resulted in two IPL franchises, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, being banned for two years and played a major role in tarnishing the league’s reputation.

    The allotment of passes in luxury boxes is a serious concern following the incident, while there is still no legislation to prevent bookies from ‘pitch sliding’ in a country where betting is illegal.

  • 14 members of Balochistan cabinet takes oath today

    14 members of Balochistan cabinet takes oath today

    Fourteen members of the Balochistan cabinet took oath today in a ceremony held at the Governor’s House in Quetta.

    Those who took the oath include Sadiq Umrani, Ali Madad Jattak, Zahoor Buledi, Noor Muhammad Dumar, Sardar Faisal Jamali, Sarfraz Domki, Abdul Rehman Khetran, Saleem Khosa, Asim Kurd Gello, Bakht Kakar, Tariq Magsi, Shoaib Nosherwani, Raheel Durrani, and Zia Langau.

    On March 2, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sardar Sarfraz Bugti took oath as the Chief Minister (CM) of Balochistan.

  • Momina Iqbal offers explanation on cricketer messages comments

    Momina Iqbal offers explanation on cricketer messages comments

    Pakistani actress Momina Iqbal is angry with social media twisting her recent comments about getting messages from cricketers.

    In her Instagram story, she lashed out at those who are spreading lies for attention. “I never said anything bad or negative about any cricketer,” she remarked adding that even if someone messaged her, “I would have dealt with it myself.”

    The actress said it was wrong for people to spread negativity just to benefit themselves, calling out those who use controversies to get more attention for their channels.
    “I believe it’s crucial for us to respect each other. I think that being united and staying positive are essential for our nation’s well-being.”
    “Don’t spread negativity for no reason! I’m surprised at those who post anything just to get views.”

    Momina then asked her followers to focus on important things, like the incident where a Jaranwala woman, Maryam Bibi, died in the Millat Express. She wanted everyone to speak up about things that matter and not get into unnecessary arguments.

    The actress talked about a question Wasi Shah asked her in a recent interview about messages from cricketers. She said it’s normal to talk with cricketers because they’re all part of the entertainment world. Momina explained that these messages usually just have nice wishes and hellos, and she can’t remember the names of the cricketers specifically.

  • PTI leaders declare president, prime minister ‘illegal’ after first joint parliament session

    PTI leaders declare president, prime minister ‘illegal’ after first joint parliament session

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Omar Ayub Khan has declared the head of state, Asif Ali Zardari, “illegal” after the President’s first speech in parliament on Thursday.

    Zardari stressed the importance of meaningful dialogue between political parties to reduce the political crisis in Pakistan in his speech.

    The PTI leader raised questions on Article 41 of the Constitution, which states that a President is a representative of the federation, pointing out that Asif Ali Zardari hasn’t resigned as co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) as of yet.

    “Law is being violated in this House,” the PTI leader said that he tried to raise a point being a leader of the opposition, but he was denied the floor.

    “As per the law, the floor is given to the opposition leader whenever he asks,” he added.

    On the other hand, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan also criticized him, saying that “We do not recognize this president [Zardari]. [Not only this president, but Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the entire cabinet are also illegal.”

  • National Women’s Football Championship postponed

    National Women’s Football Championship postponed

    The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced that the National Women’s Football Championship has been postponed.

    The decision to postpone the league was made after feedback from several clubs about the dates clashing with the academic activities and championship dates. The National Football Championship was scheduled in Karachi from May 5 to 21.

    PFF said that It was a difficult decision. The next schedule will be announced soon after consultation.

  • Disney stepping into R-rated zone with Gladiator 2

    Disney stepping into R-rated zone with Gladiator 2

    In an extended trailer for the long-awaited “Gladiator” sequel, star Paul Mescal does battle in a Colosseum filled with rhinos, bloodthirsty baboons and even floating Roman warships, egged on by Denzel Washington’s shadowy advisor.

    “It is possibly more extraordinary than the first,” said director Ridley Scott, speaking via video link.

    The footage was met with an enthusiastic thumbs up at CinemaCon, an annual gathering at which Hollywood studios showcase their upcoming titles for movie theater owners and managers from around the world.

    Ridley Scott’s sequel will hit theaters in November, nearly 25 years after the release of the original, Oscar best picture-winning historical epic “Gladiator.”

    All this week, promotional marble statues for “Gladiator 2” have adorned the casino floors of Caesars Palace, the Ancient Rome-themed casino and hotel in Las Vegas where CinemaCon is held.

    As the previous film’s main characters, played by Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix, were killed off, a new crop of actors step in.

    Mescal portrays gladiator Lucius, the nephew of Phoenix’s villainous emperor, who was seen briefly as a child in the original film.

    Pedro Pascal plays a military general, while Denzel Washington’s mysterious character is seen in the extended footage plotting to topple the Roman Empire.

    “Rome must fall. I need only to give it a push,” he says in one scene.

    The lavish presentation raised cheers even as both Paramount and the wider big-screen industry face uncertain times.

    The parent company of Paramount — one of Hollywood’s oldest studios — is currently locked in merger talks with Skydance, a media company founded by the billionaire Ellison family.

    Meanwhile overall Hollywood box office receipts are expected to fall in 2024, largely due to last year’s actors and writer strikes, which shuttered and delayed film productions.

    On Thursday, Paramount executives also showcased titles such as “A Quiet Place: Day One,” “Smile 2,” “Transformers One” and “IF” — a new comedy from John Krasinski and starring Ryan Reynolds.

    Paramount film chief Brian Robbins even joked about the merger talks, suggesting one of his executives had launched a crowd-funded Kickstarter campaign to buy the studio.

    R-rated Disney

    Later on Thursday, Disney rounded off CinemaCon with its own star-studded presentation — which took an unexpectedly adult turn.

    The showcase included appearances from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — promoting this November’s “Moana 2” release — and Amy Poehler, who returns in “Inside Out 2” this June.

    Oscar-winning “Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins previewed his animated prequel “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which hits theaters in December.

    Disney unveiled footage of Harrison Ford making his Marvel superhero film debut in next year’s “Captain America: Brave New World.”

    But the family-friendly studio’s presentation departed from the usual script with a glimpse of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” Disney’s first R-rated superhero movie.

    The film sees Reynolds’ potty-mouthed antihero team up with Hugh Jackman’s beloved “X-Men” star.

    Both characters were previously owned by 20th Century Fox.

    ut Disney bought that rival studio and its properties in 2019, and is now weaving them into its hugely popular Marvel film series.

    That has resulted in a Disney superhero movie that features adult language, explicit sexual references, and several meta jokes about the studios themselves.

  • Motorcyclist killed in collision with Maryam Nawaz’s protocol’s vehicle

    Motorcyclist killed in collision with Maryam Nawaz’s protocol’s vehicle

    A speeding vehicle of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz’s motorcade reportedly caused the death of a motorcyclist at the Chandowal Stop on Shakargarh Road, Narowal, Dawn reported on Friday.

    The CM was heading to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur to join in the three-day Baisakhi festival celebrations. As her motorcade travelled from Narowal to Kartarpur, an Elite Force vehicle collided with a motorcyclist coming from the opposite direction. The motorcyclist, 23-year-old Abubakar from Jassar Town, lost his life on the scene.

    The CM’s motorcade did not stop to take the injured to the hospital.

    Ali Rizwan, a cousin of the accident victim, told Dawn that Abubakar was on his way to the gas station where he worked. He expressed frustration that no officials stopped their car to help the injured Abubakar, nor did they call Rescue 1122. Instead, he noted with disappointment that police officers arrived at the scene after the incident and washed away the blood from the road to eliminate the evidence.

  • Oil jumps, equities fall as Israeli attacks fan MidEast fears

    Oil jumps, equities fall as Israeli attacks fan MidEast fears

    Hong Kong, China – Oil prices rallied and equities fell Friday as reports said explosions had been heard in Iran and Syria, fuelling fears of an escalation of the Middle East crisis after last weekend’s retaliatory missile attack on Israel by Tehran.

    The reports followed another batch of data indicating the US economy remained in rude health and compounded concerns that the Federal Reserve will hold off cutting interest rates this year or even hike them again.

    Traders have been on edge since Saturday’s barrage by Iran, which Israel’s army chief General Herzi Halevi warned would be met with a response.

    Leaders in Tehran said the strike was a legitimate response to a deadly attack on an Iranian embassy building in Damascus that it blames on Israel.

    Iran’s Fars news agency reported “three explosions” were heard near Qahjavarestan, near Isfahan airport and the 8th Shekari army airbase, while space agency spokesman Hossein Dalirian said “several” drones had been “successfully shot down”.

    Dalirian said on social media platform X there were “no reports of a missile attack”.

    Nuclear facilities in Isfahan were reported to be “completely secure”, the Tasnim news agency said.

    ABC and CBS News reported the strikes had been carried out by Israel, quoting US officials.

    There was no immediate comment from the White House or Pentagon, and the Israeli military told AFP: “We don’t have a comment at this time.”

    The news sent shivers through markets, with crude briefly surging as much as four percent on worries about supplies from the oil-rich region, while fears of a regional conflict saw equities tumble.

    However, the gains were pared as Iran appeared to play down the matter. Tasnim denied the reports and said the Isfahan nuclear facility was safe, while the International Atomic Energy Agency added that it had not been damaged.

    Asia equities fell but were well off their early lows.

    Tokyo plunged more than two percent and Taipei shed more than three percent, while there were also losses in Hong Kong, Sydney, Shanghai, Singapore, Seoul, Wellington, Manila, Mumbai, Bangkok and Jakarta.

    London, Paris and Frankfurt were also in the red.

    The rush for safety also saw the yen rally against the dollar and gold jump back past $2,400, while US Treasuries climbed.

    “It is now clear that the escalating shadow warfare between Israel and Iran… has finally ignited the powder keg in the Middle East, and we have moved decisively out of the shadows and into the glaring light of open conflict,” said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management.

    “It should be noted that this is not a staged response to an Iranian drone attack but rather an indication that we have entered a new phase of this conflict, one that is likely to have significant and far-reaching consequences for Middle East peace and least of all risk markets.”

    The mood among traders was already downbeat as they contemplated the prospect of the Fed staying pat on interest rates this year following data showing jobless claims came in below expectations while a gauge of business activity hit a two-year high.

    Meanwhile, Atlanta Fed boss Raphael Bostic said inflation is “too high” and he felt there was no need to cut borrowing costs until later in the year.

    “I’m comfortable being patient,” he added.

    New York Fed chief John Williams and governor Michelle Bowman also said they saw fewer reductions than expected, if at all, this year.

    Michael Landsberg, of Landsberg Bennett Private Wealth Management, said: “We are firmly in the camp of no rate cuts in 2024.

    “We believe investors should prepare for a higher-for-longer regime when it comes to both inflation and interest rates.”

    Key figures around 0810 GMT

    West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.4 percent at $83.85 per barrel

    Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.1 percent at $88.10 per barrel

    Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 2.7 percent at 37,068.35 (close)

    Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 1.0 percent at 16,224.14 (close)

    Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.3 percent at 3,065.26 (close)

    London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.7 percent at 7,825.73

    Dollar/yen: DOWN at 154.40 yen from 154.67 yen on Thursday

    Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0643 from $1.0645

    Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2429 from $1.2438

    Euro/pound: UP at 85.64 pence from 85.57 pence

    New York – Dow: UP 0.1 percent at 37,775.38 (close)

    – Bloomberg News contributed to this story –

    dan/sco

    © Agence France-Presse