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  • Why this Indian woman cricketer is being called ‘female Muhammad Rizwan’?

    Why this Indian woman cricketer is being called ‘female Muhammad Rizwan’?

    Indian women’s team cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues is being called the female version of Pakistani wicket-keeper batsman Muhammad Rizwan, according to Indian journalist Shubhankar Mishra.

    Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said, “People are calling Jemimah the Indian female version of Pakistan cricketer Muhammar Rizwan.”

    Background of the story:

    One of Mumbai’s oldest clubs, Khar Gymkhana, has cancelled the membership of Indian women’s cricket star Jemimah Rodrigues. Some members of the Gymkhana alleged that her father, Ivan Rodrigues, organised religious conversion activities there.

    This decision was made during the club’s annual general body meeting on October 20, 2024. Members were concerned about the club’s premises being used for religious gatherings.

    According to The Indian Express, Ivan organised around 35 gatherings under the name Brother Manuel Ministries over 18 months in the club’s presidential hall, which led to objections from some club members who claimed these events aimed to convert “vulnerable” individuals.

    “We hear about conversions all over the country, but it’s happening right under our nose… As per Khar Gymkhana’s by-laws, no religious activity is permitted”, Shiv Malhotra, a member of the club’s managing committee, said.

    Former Gymkhana president Nitin Gadekar stated that he had seen such activities at the club for some time. Following these events, the club decided to revoke Jemimah Rodrigues’ three-year membership, which was granted in 2023.

    The initial membership grant had made her the first Indian female cricketer to join the club, and in 2023, Khar Gymkhana invited Rodrigues to use its facilities.

    The allegations surface at a crucial time in her cricket career, as she is preparing to represent India in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.

    Why is she called the female version of Muhammad Rizwan?

    In December 2023, a video of the Pakistan cricket team’s wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan making a speech in a mosque in Melbourne, Australia, went viral. According to the viral video on social media, after arriving in Melbourne, wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan went to a mosque to give a speech.

    “I believe that a human being is a brand ambassador of two things. If a person is a Muslim, they represent Islam wherever they go. The second thing is that they are Pakistan’s brand ambassador. It doesn’t matter what anyone says,” he said.

    Rizwan has since been criticised by some social media users, including national cricketer Ahmed Shehzad. At the same time, most fans supported him for spreading peaceful religion in the world.

  • Russia’s BRICS Currency Summit 2024: Big Replacing the US Dollar?

    Russia’s BRICS Currency Summit 2024: Big Replacing the US Dollar?

    The summit is set to be attended by presidents from two dozen nations. In their opinion, this is the most significant event Russia has held for many years and is a message to the West amid wars in Ukraine. The annual BRICS currency summit began on Tuesday and is being held in Kazan, Russian President Putin’s hometown.

    The three-night conclave will be Russia’s largest gathering of world leaders in over two decades. Moreover, it comes at a time when the Kreim is embroiled in a war on Ukraine backed by Western nations.

    What is BRICS?

    BRICS globally refers to Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

    The group started in 2006, and Brazil, Russia, India, and China convened for the first BRIC summit in 2009. A year later, South Africa was included as well. The alliance’s aim is to counteract the West’s economic and political monopoly. The group sets priorities and has discussions once every year during the ensuree summit, which all members host in turn.

    In 2023, BRICS reached the international forum to call Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates after they applied to join the club. So far, Saudi Arabia transfers have grown formally; the others have been achieved.

    New BRICS Currency

    No announcement was made about launching a new BRIC currency at the 2023 BRICS summit. It was hosted in South Africa; however, this topic has been debated for a long time in several BRICS forums. In the BRICS, diverse local currencies hinder smooth trade among member states. Except for Russia, all current members possess separate local currencies. It is rational to have a single currency for trade and other reasons.

    BRIC currency

    Read Also: SCO SUMMIT 2024: Pakistan Ready to Lead the Regional Unity

    When Will Brics Currency Be Released?

    There were speculations that this new Brics nations currency would be launched at the next conference of BRICS, scheduled for 2024. Still, during an interview, former Russian diplomat Yury Ushakov opened up on the issue of BRIC currency. He presented for discussion BRICS Pay, which is a payment system built around blockchain technology, though BRICS has not officially launched it. 

    The BRICS nations, particularly China, have been on a gold-buying spree. Therefore, there is speculation that the BRICS currency will be gold-backed. This common nations currency will facilitate international trade and transactions and be usable by national and domestic businesses.

    Is the U.S. Dollar In Trouble?

    For the first time, BRICS leaders have expressed their intentions to use more national currencies than the dollar. Since last year, Brics nations currency value has increased due to the Fed’s interest rate hikes and the Russia-Ukraine war, which made dollar debt and numerous imports expensive.

    On the 22nd of February, when it became clear that Russia would be sanctioned, people began to wonder whether the East would move away from the dollar.

    “The momentum of the de-dollarization process, which is systemic due to the current development, has been getting faster,” Putin said at the summit on Tuesday.

    The dollar remains the primary currency for most international trade. As of 2017, 88% of all global currency trade involved the dollar, as evidenced by the Bank of International Settlements Data.

    The shift towards de-dollarization is not simple. It necessitates the compliance and independent decisions of every currency trader, lender, and borrower from nations across the globe to transition to another currency. The potential impact of this transition cannot be overstated.

    What’s Next For BRICS Nations Currency

    South American countries expressed interest in joining the “BRICS” countries, not Southeast countries. Russia made a case for Southeast Asian countries to join BRICS. A little later, Turkish President Erdogan met with President Xi Jinping and remarked about Turkey’s interest in joining BRICS. However, it’s been months since we last heard of Indonesia, the Philippines, or other Southeast Asian nations making formal requests to join the bloc.

  • Chahat Fateh Ali Khan grabs Karan Johar’s attention; offers to work for free

    Chahat Fateh Ali Khan grabs Karan Johar’s attention; offers to work for free

    Singer Chahat Fateh Ali, known for his quirky singing on social media, has sent a message to Indian filmmaker Karan Johar.

    Recently, he released the song ‘Toba Toba,’ a rendition of the popular Bollywood song ‘Tauba Tauba,’ originally sung by renowned Indian singer Karan Aujla.
    This song was filmed by Vicky Kaushal in Bollywood and became very popular on the internet due to his dance moves.

    In response, Karan Johar recommended everyone watch the rendition.

    On Instagram, Chahat Fateh Ali posted a video addressing Karan Johar, saying:

    “Assalam o Alaikum. Karoron dilon ki jaan, Chahat Fateh Ali, all the way from London. Today’s special message is for Sir Karan Johar. Sir, first of all, happy birthday to you. May Allah grant you a long life of 120 years. Karan Johar Sahib, I am deeply grateful that you appreciated my talent, acting, and singing. Thank you very much. You are a producer, singer, actor, model, and, in fact, a kingmaker.

    It is my great fortune that you liked my work. I haven’t slept for three nights just thinking about your appreciation. Thank you, sir, thank you very much. It would be a great honor for me to work in one of your films for free if you give me the opportunity. Thank you, sir, thank you very much.”

  • Experts predict two per cent rate cut as inflation plummets to 44-month low

    Experts predict two per cent rate cut as inflation plummets to 44-month low

    Business owners look towards the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to cut interest rates yet again as the inflation rate reached a low of 6.9 per cent in September 2024. The interest rate is expected to fall around two per cent to 15.5 per cent – the lowest in around four years.

    The SBP, like other national central banks, uses the interest rate as a tool to control the inflation rate. With annual inflation rates touching 29.18 per cent in 2023, the SBP set an interest rate of 22 per cent to maintain skyrocketing price levels.

    With inflation rates touching a 44-month low, however, economic experts believe that the state bank will reduce the policy rate.

    Recently, inflation rates have been dropping steadily and September’s sharp decline of 28 per cent in the monthly inflation rate is proof of just that. This is certainly good news for businesses that have been affected by high inflation rates.

    This is because they had been suffering from having to pay extortionate “menu costs”. Menu cost refers to the expense a business has to pay to order new price tags, put up new billboards, and as the name suggests, print new menus.

    Aside from these costs, the previous year saw a slowdown in sales as customers experienced a “sticker shock” factor every time they found out that prices had increased. However, with inflation rates expected to fall to as low as six per cent in October, businesses are expected to recover even faster than last year’s surge in inflation.

    This expected drop in interest rates is likely to spell great news for businesses. This is because investors who had their money parked in savings accounts in banks will find it more profitable to invest in actual businesses.

    This will create a huge shift in funds from savings accounts to business projects.

    For reference, the average return to the sugar industry, considered to be extremely profitable, in 2023 was 18 per cent while interest rates sat at over 20%. A rational businessman would not forgo a risk-free return in favour of a risky investment that has a lower return.

    With interest rates projected to drop to 15.5 per cent, however, a shift in funds will likely be seen from banks to businesses.

    Moreover, the PSX (Pakistan Stock Exchange) has seen an incredible year, sitting at just under 89,000 points. Increased investor confidence is likely to continue with dropping interest rates as more money will pour into the stock exchange from banks.

    Aside from the increase in projected investment levels by external investors, business owners will probably be more inclined to finance projects using debt if interest rates drop. This is because they will know that they now have to pay much lower interest payments if they borrow money.

    Likewise, consumers might also take up these cheaper loans to buy items from businesses – increasing the sales of business owners. If SBP slashes interest rates, businesses are set to profit enormously.

  • Foreign exchange reserves surge $18 million in a week

    Foreign exchange reserves surge $18 million in a week

    Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have witnessed a slight increase of $18 million in one week.

    The latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) shows that this increase was witnessed in the week ending on October 18, which has pushed the central bank-held reserves to 11.04 billion.

    Total reserves held by the country dropped by more than $94 million to $16.02 billion on a weekly basis.

    The reason behind this reduction can be attributed to the commercial bank holdings, which dropped 2.20 per cent, or $112.2 million, to $4.98 billion in the week under review.

    This fiscal year, the reserves held by the SBP have increased approximately 34 per cent, or $2.82 billion.

    During the same period, the Pakistani rupee has remained largely unchanged against the US dollar, apart from minor gains and losses of a few paisas. 

    As of today, the PKR stands at Rs277.84 per US dollar, while one British Pound holds a value of Rs360 against the Pakistani currency.

  • Danish Taimoor drops hints about his two upcoming dramas

    Danish Taimoor drops hints about his two upcoming dramas

    Fans of Danish Taimoor are now eagerly waiting for his next projects after he recently shared some exciting news.

    During his appearances as a guest on Mazaq Raat hosted by Imran Ashraf.

    A fan from the audience asked, “Danish bhai, what’s your next drama?”

    Danish revealed that he is working on two dramas, one of which is called Shair, and he is starring alongside Sarah Khan.

    Another drama he is working on is “40 per cent” completed, and it is called Man Mast Malang.

    This drama, he said, “will be aired on a great channel, Insha’Allah”.

    His co-star will be Sahar Hashmi, and the Danish character’s name is Kabir.

    Danish Taimoor is currently starring in Jaan Nisar and Teri Chhaon Mein.

  • Why does Farhan Akhtar prefer staying in over going out?

    Why does Farhan Akhtar prefer staying in over going out?

    While many enjoy late-night outings and social gatherings, actor and director Farhan Akhtar prefers a quieter setting.

    In a podcast with Chapter 2 hosted by Rhea Chakraborty, Akhar revealed his love for staying in rather than going out.
    Farhan argued why should a person “who is happier spending time at home, is happy to meet you in the day, in the evening up to a certain time, doesn’t want to go out to a club, doesn’t want to go out to a bar, want to hang out at home” be considered “boring”.

    Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara actor added a lighthearted example, saying that if he were to ask people to join him on a seven-day trek and they refused, should he think, “Oh my God, you’re so boring that you’re not coming for a seven-day trek”?

    Shibani Dandekar, his wife, also shared their love for simple nights at home, saying, “For us, just the thought of sitting on the couch under a blanket and watching stuff on TV is the most exciting day by far.”

    “It’s so exciting, snacks, pyjamas, we live for it. In fact, Farhan often says to me, ‘Should we watch something, should we just like sit on the couch and watch something?’ as if it’s a new thing we’ve never done before, we do it every week,” she added.

    Farhan and Shibani tied the knot on February 19, 2022, in Khandala.

  • Girls these days have very sharp tongues, try to control their husbands: Asma Abbas

    Girls these days have very sharp tongues, try to control their husbands: Asma Abbas

    Senior actress Asma Abbas has advised girls to speak to their husbands with calm and patience to convey their point effectively.

    In an interview with journalist Maleeha Rehman, while discussing marriage, she said, “I want to tell the young generation to set boundaries before making decisions, recognise both the good and bad traits of their partners and think carefully before making choices.”

    “I want to tell girls that everyone has minor flaws and no one is perfect. Our girls are no less, with so many demands and such sharp tongues. Girls should speak to their husbands but do so with control,” she advised.

    “In our time, it was understood that you must make your point, but with a bit of patience and tolerance. When things were said with love, they were accepted,” she added.

    Abbas believes that nowadays, girls are “hasty and say things quickly”.

    “They should have a bit of patience and tolerance, swallow their anger, take a five-minute break, and then make their point. It will be accepted if spoken calmly. One shouldn’t speak in anger; learn to stay quiet in anger, and things will get easier,” she said.

    “Not only girls but men too need to learn to stay quiet in anger. They often mistreat and speak harshly to their wives. Some even resort to abuse and violence, which she is strongly against,” she added.

    Apart from being patient, Asma Abbas also advised setting boundaries.

    “On my YouTube channel, I tell girls that if they are abused or hit, they should leave immediately and not stay with that person because such things should not be tolerated. Abuse and harsh language are horrifying, and if you tolerate it, it will only increase,” she further advised.

    Not allowed to work

    In her interview with Maleeha Rehman, Asma Abbas also admitted that her husband did not allow her to work in showbiz for 18 years after marriage, which is why she had been absent from the drama industry.

    “After marriage, my husband stopped me from working in the entertainment industry. He did not like the entertainment industry,” she said.

    “With my husband in the army, he kept getting transferred, which made it difficult for me to work in show business, so I did not work for 18 years of marriage,” she added.

    “Later, my husband came to understand the entertainment industry, after which he allowed me to work in dramas after 18 years of marriage,” Abbas said.

    She also talked about her daughter Zara Noor Abbas and said, “At the beginning of her career, my daughter made many friends in the entertainment industry, but she got cheated.”

    “Zara Noor Abbas did not understand; she made mistakes and considered everyone in showbiz as her friend, but she soon realised that the entertainment industry is not like that. There are deceptions, and after receiving losses, she understood,” she added.

    Asma Abbas, while talking about awards shows, said, “In Pakistan, only lux and hum awards are held, and there too many people are ignored.

    “I know that I will never get an award, and I do not need an award now.”

    “I played a good role in the play ‘Chupke Chupke’, and the entire team was given an award, but the award was not far away. I was not even nominated and invited,” she said.

    “I hoped that my daughter Zara Noor Abbas would win awards in the future,” Abbas expressed.

    “I never instructed my daughter not to work in the entertainment industry, nor did I impose any strictness on her.”

    Talking about her marriage and career, she said, “I married a serving army colonel at the age of just 23.”

  • 60 American lawmakers ask Biden to push for Imran Khan’s release

    60 American lawmakers ask Biden to push for Imran Khan’s release

    Over 60 democratic lawmakers of the United States House of Representatives called on US President Joe Biden in a letter to use Washington’s leverage with Pakistan to secure the release of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan.

    The lawmakers, on Wednesday, wrote a letter to Joe Biden, noting: “We write today to urge you to use the United States’ substantial leverage with Pakistan’s government to secure the release of political prisoners, including former Prime Minister Khan, and curtail widespread human rights abuses.”

    Pakistan government denied any such unfair treatment toward the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi.

    Meanwhile, the State Council today, while appearing before Islamabad High Court, stated that the Punjab government imposed a ban on meeting lawyers with Imran Khan in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi amidst security concerns, following that meeting between Khan and lawyers could not be possible.

    Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan responded to the State Council, saying: “Is there a ban on lawyers meeting him? If the Punjab government has prohibited the meeting of the lawyers, it would have committed contempt of court; whoever issued this notification has also committed contempt of court.”

    However, later in the day, it was reported that Adiala Jail authorities had arranged for a meeting between Imran Khan and lawyers Salman Akram Raja, Faisal Fareed Chaudhary and Shoaib Shaheen.

  • Man arrested for threatening Salman Khan with Lawrence Bishnoi’s name

    A man who threatened Salman Khan through the Mumbai Traffic Police using the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi has been arrested.

    The police confirmed the arrest in Jamshedpur, according to Indian media.

    “The accused threatened the Bollywood actor by invoking gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and demanded a ransom of Rs five crore from Salman Khan,” revealed the Mumbai Traffic Police.

    The police registered a case against an unknown person and launched an investigation after receiving the threatening message.

    The message was sent to the Mumbai Traffic Police control room on October 18. By October 21, the police received an apology from the man, stating that “the message was sent in error.”

    Police traced the message sender’s location to Jharkhand, where he claimed to be associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and warned of a threat to Salman Khan’s life if he did not pay the extortion.