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  • Curious incident of clean bowled batsman being declared not out

    Curious incident of clean bowled batsman being declared not out

    A curious incident during the third grade match between the Western Districts in Canberra, has captured the attention of cricket fans. A bowler bowled the batsman cleanly, with the ball hitting the wicket, but the bails did not fall, nor did any of the stumps uproot completely, on which the umpires declared the batsman not out.

    Despite the ball hitting the wicket, the two bails did not fall and not one of the three stumps could be completely uprooted, on which the umpires did not declare out.

    According to Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Law 29.1, a batsman cannot be declared bowled out unless at least one bail has fallen completely from the top of the stumps or at least one or more stumps have been completely uprooted off the ground.

    Social media users have expressed mixed reactions to the unique incident. Here are some reactions;

  • Rao Anwar targets Asif Zardari in new interview

    Rao Anwar targets Asif Zardari in new interview

    The controversial former Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir, Rao Anwar, has targeted former President and co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari in an interview, offering details of alleged corruption within the Sindh government.

    Talking to SAMAA, Rao Anwar claimed that Asif Ali Zardari was involved in corruption of RS 700 billion, stating, “Asif Ali Zardari is the king of the system mafia. In the last five years, 700 billion rupees have been laundered outside Pakistan.”

    He also disclosed that after 2013, Sindh police had also been involved in seizing individuals’ land. He criticised the Sindh government, saying that instead of controlling crimes in Karachi and interior Sindh, they were busy doing other activities.

    Rao, one of the most contentious police officers in Karachi, retired in 2019, mired in allegations of extra judicial murder among other serious charges. He had been charged with carrying out fake encounters and involvement in corrupt practices, including orchestrating the murder of Naqeebullah Mehsud, an aspiring model from Waziristan. Later, an anti-terrorism court acquitted the former SSP.

  • 100 million to be spent on upgradation of 84 police stations in Lahore

    100 million to be spent on upgradation of 84 police stations in Lahore

    Lahore police has released a huge sum of Rs 100 million out of a total of 190 million allocated for the establishment of the Special Initiative Police Stations(SIPs) in the Lahore region.

    To eradicate ‘thana culture’, the department has planned to introduce modern technology and smart idea-based model police stations to provide citizens quick relief and increase trust levels between the public and the police.

    The Police department has announced establishing division-wise committees under the supervision of the respective SPs of the operations wing, making the sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs), station house officers (SHOs), and the muharrars their respective members. This will ensure transparency in the utilisation of the funds released by the Punjab government for the upgrade of all 84 Lahore police stations.

    The project, the brainchild of Punjab Police IG Dr Usman Anwar, will involve converting all 735 police stations of the province, including 84 in Lahore, into the Special Initiative Police Stations. Caretaker setup in Punjab allocated Rs1.9 billion, including Rs190 million (19 crore) for Lahore SIPs. Out of the total allocated amount, Rs60 million (6 crore) will go to the taxes while the rest amount of Rs30 million (3 crore) will also be released in the weeks to come.

    According to the scheme, Two LCDs each will be installed in the lobby (the space for the citizens) and in the offices of the SHOs. the cameras will be installed outside the bars to monitor the activities of the suspects, in the office of the SHOs, and at the front desks of the police stations.
    Each police station will house a control room and Qmatic system to facilitate the citizens.

    Out of the total of 84 police stations, the buildings of the three police stations — Mozang, Hanjarwal and the Civil Lines — have been completed and inaugurated.

    The 70 percent of the total civil work of the rest of the buildings of the police stations is near completion, the official said.

    Talking to Dawn, Lahore Operations DIG Ali Nasir Rizvi suggested that the Lahore police department would submit a request to the Punjab government through the IG office to provide Rs70 million additional amount to meet expenses.

  • VELO’s Weirdly Wonderful: Rewriting Marketing Rules

    VELO’s Weirdly Wonderful: Rewriting Marketing Rules

    Ready for a twist in the marketing narrative? VELO’s “Weirdly Wonderful” campaign is doing just that, right here in the bustling cities of Pakistan. This campaign is challenging the conventional, taking us on a journey that’s part astronaut, part submariner. Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad are now playing host to this intriguing visitor, sparking curiosity and conversation on every street corner. What’s truly brilliant about this campaign is its simplicity and its ability to draw people in. It’s not every day that you see a marketing campaign that feels like a slice of a fantasy world, right on our streets.

    VELO is leading the way in innovative thinking, showing that it’s possible to sell an experience, a story, a moment of awe, rather than just a product. The execution of this campaign is nothing short of artistic. The quality, the visuals, the impact – it’s all been thought through with the utmost precision. It’s not just a campaign that you see; it’s one that you feel. It invites you on a journey into the unknown, a chance to be part of something larger, something that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. This kind of marketing is rare – it turns a daily commute into an interstellar adventure. VELO’s campaign shows us the power of imagination in marketing. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most effective way to engage people is not through straightforward ads, but through stories that captivate and transport them to another world.

    VELO’s approach is a breath of fresh air in the marketing world, proving that creativity and storytelling can be powerful tools in connecting with an audience. It’s more than just a campaign; it’s a new way of looking at marketing, one that prioritizes wonder and engagement over traditional advertising tactics.

    Click to view now: https://www.instagram.com/p/C0n9sOIxdGm/

  • Much-awaited wintery winds about to hit Karachi

    Much-awaited wintery winds about to hit Karachi

    Karachi experienced the coldest night of the season so far after the temperature dropped to 13.5°C in the port city on December 8. The temperature is likely to drop further in the coming days as a new wave of cold winds will enter the country from December 15, reports Geo.

    According to weather analyst Owais Haider, the minimum temperature is expected to remain at 12 to 14°C during the next ten days in Karachi. Winds blowing in from the Northeast will worsen air quality. However, there is no chance of rain in the next 10 days, while humidity levels will remain between 50 to 60 percent during the day, he said.

    According to the monthly report issued by the Meteorological Department, normal to slightly above rainfall (snowfall over the high mountain) is likely to happen in most parts of the country, particularly the central parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, during the current month.

    It said nearly normal precipitation is likely over most parts of the country particularly Sindh during January.

    “In February 2024, normal to slightly above normal precipitation is expected over most parts of the country particularly the upper Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” the report said.

  • Rumours of a Rai-Bachchan divorce. What’s everyone saying?                   

    Rumours of a Rai-Bachchan divorce. What’s everyone saying?                   

    There have been rumors circulating about Bollywood actors Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan’s marriage. While there hasn’t been any official confirmation, some reports suggest that they might be heading towards a divorce. The rumours became more persistent after people noticed that Abhishek is not wearing his wedding ring anymore. Others are also stating that the divorce has to do with father, Amitabh Bachchan distributing property amongst his children.

    Here is what X users are saying.

  • Cricket Australia introduces alcohol-free ‘Pakistan Bay’ at Perth Stadium

    Cricket Australia introduces alcohol-free ‘Pakistan Bay’ at Perth Stadium

    Cricket Australia has introduced an alcohol-free ‘Pakistan Bay’ at Perth Stadium with an emphasis on a family-friendly environment.

    Cricket Australia has taken the proactive step to create an inclusive and unique experience for Pakistani cricket fans during the upcoming first Test of the Benaud–Qadir Trophy at the Perth Stadium on December 14. The event has already attracted significant interest, with over 18,000 tickets sold for the highly anticipated match.

    To provide a dedicated space for supporters, Perth Stadium has allocated two zones around the Pakistan dressing room, officially named ‘Pakistan Bay’, a designated area serving as a focal point for fans to gather and rally behind their team.

    Participants can enjoy various amenities including tea, halal, and desi food. Pakistani cricketers Hasan Ali and Saim Ayub have invited fans to participate in a walk organized by Cricket Australia on the first day of the match. The walk will take participants down the famous Sailani Avenue to Perth Stadium.

  • IPP will provide a list of constituencies to PML-N for seat adjustments today

    IPP will provide a list of constituencies to PML-N for seat adjustments today

    The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) has made a list of constituencies of national and provincial assembly seats where it wants seat settlement with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), as per a report in The News.

    A source revealed to The News that the IPP committee, in which Ishaq Khakwani, Awn Chaudhry, and Nauman Langrial are included, has made a list of candidates which will be provided to PML-N on Monday.

    As the country gears up for general elections, political parties are making alliances with multiple political stakeholders to win the forthcoming polls on February 8 next year.

    PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif met with the IPP’s patron chief, Jahangir Tareen in Lahore a few weeks ago, to discuss the issue of seat adjustment in the upcoming general elections, which are going to be held on February 8, 2024.

    According to multiple media reports, the IPP wants seat adjustments with PML-N on 20 National Assembly (NA) seats and 44 Provincial Assembly (Punjab) seats.

    However, sources in the IPP claimed that the figures reported by different TV channels were exaggerated and that the party will ask for seat adjustments in about eight to 10 NA constituencies and 15 to 20 PA constituencies.

  • Journalist in Gaza killed by an Israeli sniper

    Journalist in Gaza killed by an Israeli sniper

    Bisan, a reporter from Gaza, announced the death of another journalist, Mohamed Abu Samra, who has been killed by an Israeli sniper.

    Only days before his death, his twin brother Ahamad was killed in an air strike that targeted their home.

    As of December 10, the Committee to Protect Journalist’s preliminary investigations documented that at least 63 journalists and media workers have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since October 7.

  • Delhi’s Zafar Mahal mausoleum vandalised by miscreants

    Delhi’s Zafar Mahal mausoleum vandalised by miscreants

    Zafar Mahal, a historical monument in Delhi’s Mehrauli village, has been vandalized by unknown miscreants in India, damaging part of the jaali (lattice screen) in front of the tombs of three Mughal emperors and Bahadur Shah Zafar’s empty tomb.

    The incident was reported by Sunit Arora, a journalist, who visited the site. He was informed by the guard that the vandalism took place eight days ago, and no action has been taken by the authorities so far.

    Zafar Mahal is an ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) protected monument and is one of the last remnants of the architectural legacy of the Mughals in India. The palace is associated with the festival of Sair-e-Gul Faroshan, initiated by Bahadur Shah Zafar, to honour the Sufi saint Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, whose dargah is also located nearby.

    However, Zafar Mahal is in a state of neglect, with minimal maintenance and frequent vandalism. The jaali, which is now spoilt, was a fine example of the Pachin Kari (inlay work) technique.

    Indian tombs of Mughal emperors, including Akbar Shah II, Shah Alam II, and Mirza Fakhruddin, also stand in a deteriorated condition inside the Mehrauli Archaeological Park.

    Art historian William Dalrymple criticised the ASI for its neglect.

    Twitter user Tamjeed Ahmed said that, “ASI earlier said they will restore Zafar Mahal in October but they never did!”

    However, poet Rafiq Kathwari, was reminded of Babri Mosque, as he said, “If they can do Babri, the worst is yet to be.”

    Another user pointed out that “unfortunately, far too many Indian visitors are extremely disrespectful of our ancient monuments”.

    Meanwhile, a user posted a pictorial comparison of the tomb of the past and the present.