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  • Instagram influencers to follow for updates on Gaza

    Instagram influencers to follow for updates on Gaza

    Here is a list of people you can follow on Instagram to stay updated on what is happening in Gaza:

    Here is how can make sure you are able to keep up with all the posts of other similar accounts that are being censored:

  • ‘No delay in elections’: ECP dismisses remarks by President Arif Alvi

    ‘No delay in elections’: ECP dismisses remarks by President Arif Alvi

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has dismissed any notions of delaying the general elections, emphasizing its commitment to the scheduled electoral process despite recent uncertainties.

    Following President Arif Alvi’s statement in an interview with Geo News anchorperson Hamid Mir that have sparked speculations of a delay, the ECP swiftly issued a statement reiterating its preparedness and determination to carry out electoral proceedings as planned.

    “According to the action plan, the final list of constituencies is scheduled to be published on November 30, 2023. This announcement comes after the first phase of constituencies has already been completed, and the second phase, involving the filing of objections, is set to conclude on October 27, 2023,” the statement reads.

    The statement further said that ECP will commence the hearing of objections on preliminary constituencies starting from October 30 or 31, emphasising its commitment to conducting the elections as per the established timeline.

    “The President’s interview had raised concerns regarding a possible delay in the elections, but the Election Commission’s clear and prompt response has put those speculations to rest. The Commission remains steadfast in its efforts to ensure a fair and timely electoral process,” the spokesperson said.

    In an interview with Geo News anchorperson Hamid Mir, President Alvi said he does not see polls taking place in January. He recalled that he made various “efforts” for polls, including letters to the ECP and suggesting a cut-off date of November 6.

    According to the president, the law ministry told him that it was not his prerogative. He stated that free and fair elections and a level playing field were crucial for Pakistan’s progress.

    During the interview, he also alluded to the caretaker government being behind the spate of defections from the PTI. “Whatever the caretaker government is doing — what with people disappearing and reappearing with shifted loyalties,” he said.

    Speaking about the amendments to the Official Secrets Act and the Pakistan Army Act, President Alvi said he “stands by” his claim that he did not assent to tweaks made by the PDM government.

  • ‘Worse than Nazis’: Israeli TikTokers slammed for mocking Palestinian deaths

    ‘Worse than Nazis’: Israeli TikTokers slammed for mocking Palestinian deaths

    As videos and pictures show the awful impact of Israeli airstrikes over Gaza, where the death toll is set to cross 7000, an awful trend of Israeli TikTok users mocking these war crimes has emerged online.

    An Israeli TikTok user danarazmakeup is going viral on social media after her recent video showed her mocking the Palestinians for lack of access to clean water, electricity and air conditioning. In the video, she is running around using the applicants in her home while looking at the audience in a mocking manner.

    Twitter user Hadi Nasrullah shared this clip with the caption: “Disgusting. More and more Israeli influencers and content creators are participating in trends mocking Palestinians in Gaza for not having water or electricity. And you want us to feel sorry for them.”

    Several X (formerly Twitter) users criticised the Israeli TikToker by calling her “worse than Nazi’s”.

    Other videos included parents along with their children, mocking Palestinians by applauding their lack of electricity, and even comparing them to dogs.

    An Arab TikTok user Yeganeh shared a series of clips posted by Israeli users who were mocking Palestinians trauma. .

    In the comments section, several users urged everyone to public the names of these TikTok accounts so they could be reported.

  • ‘When we rise, we go straight to the top’; Babar Azam still has hope

    ‘When we rise, we go straight to the top’; Babar Azam still has hope

    A video of a Pakistan team practice session has been widely shared on the X account of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In the video, players were seen practicing in the net while Babar Azam gives them a pep talk.

    Despite three consecutive defeats in the ICC World Cup, the captain of the national team, Babar Azam, did not lose heart and encouraged the players.

    ‘We have done this many times, we have risen from the bottom but when we rise from the bottom we go straight to the top, all the players remember that time.”

    He said, “It would be easy if we stick by each other. We have to walk shoulder to shoulder with each other, we have done it before, we have come back and we can still do it. Don’t give up”.

  • ‘I wish Pakistan loses next four matches of the World Cup’: Kamran Akmal

    ‘I wish Pakistan loses next four matches of the World Cup’: Kamran Akmal

    After Pakistan’s consecutive defeats to India, Australia, and Afghanistan in the ICC ODI World Cup, the national team is being heavily criticized.

    While speaking on the sports transmission of a private TV channel, Pakistan’s former wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal said, “Everyone is saying that the Pakistan team must win the next four matches, but I wish that Pakistan loses its next matches too”.

    The former cricketer said, “If we want Pakistan’s cricket to be improved, then the team should not win the next match. If the national team wins and enters the top four, then they will start the same thing again.”

    As soon as Kamran Akmal said this, the anchor immediately pointed at him and said, “What are you talking about? I don’t want to see Pakistan lose.” To which Kamran Akmal replied, “This is not about losing the match but it will destroy their ego”.

    The video clip is going viral on social media and users are also commenting on it.

  • ‘It had to happen’: Aina Asif defends why Mayi-Ri had to end with divorce of Ainy and Fakhir

    ‘It had to happen’: Aina Asif defends why Mayi-Ri had to end with divorce of Ainy and Fakhir

    Child star Aina Asif was a guest on ‘Mazaaq Raat’ where an audience member asked her about the controversial ending of the drama ‘Mayi-Ri’. The serial centered around the forceful marriage of a 15-year-old girl to her cousin, and the birth of their daughter. The drama’s ending divided opinions when Ainy divorces Fakhir, decides to live with her single mother to raise her daughter and completes her education.

    The ending was applauded by some users for showing divorce as something that empowers a woman rather than shameful, with Ainy choosing to live her life on her own terms. While other users slammed the show-makers for ‘glamorising divorce’.

    READ MORE: ‘Mayi Ri’ ends with mixed responses from fans

    Aina defended the scene as something that was necessary to depict in order for audiences to fully understand why child marriage is wrong. “There could have been a different ending, but we have to emphasise that child marriage is wrong. We were trying to show that.”

    Aina further stressed the drama’s characters Ainy and Fakhir were good for each other but their timing was wrong, hence they had to part ways.

    Watch the clip

  • Ranveer Singh reveals how he proposed to Deepika Padukone on Koffee With Karan

    Ranveer Singh reveals how he proposed to Deepika Padukone on Koffee With Karan

    Iconic Bollywood couple Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone were the first guests on Season 8 of Koffee With Karan, where the duo spilled secrets about their relationship. This marks the first time the two made an appearance together as a married couple on television.

    Speaking about how they got engaged, Ranveer revealed he had proposed to Deepika back in 2015 by popping the question at a gorgeous location. The ‘Rocky and Rani’ actor said that after consulting his mother and sister, he purchased the ring that was “far above my means at the time.”

    As reported by India Today, the actor and Deepika were set to leave for a vacation to Maldives. They were on a boat ride when Ranveer got down on one knee with the ring and proposed.

    ‘We go to the Maldives. And I’ve secretly carried the ring with me. We do the sandbank adventure. A boat takes us out in the middle of the sea and there’s just one tiny sliver of sand in the middle and all around is just infinite sea. They drop you there and put up a tent. It was literally just her and me in the middle of the sea. I was like, this is just perfect”

    Ranveer recalled Deepika was overwhelmed with emotions because she was shocked, and said yes right away.

    The couple further revealed that convincing Deepika’s parents was the hardest part of their journey. Deepika recalled that they met her at parents after returning from Maldives, and went directly to Padukone’s house in Bangalore. Ranveer said he had prepped everything to tell her family:

    ”We’re having this wonderful evening. I am trying to charm them. Then she whispered ‘I am going to tell them now’ and I was like ‘Don’t’ ”.

    Deepika opened up how she blurted the news out during dinner, and her mother’s face “had just gone cold”, Ranveer mentioned.

    ”After all the hugs and celebrations, I’ve gone to my room and I put my ear to the door. Outside, Amma and Deepika are having it out. She’s (Deepika’s mother) saying ‘Who is this guy? He’s proposed marriage and you’ve said yes also?’ Is this any way?’ With my ear on the door, I was like ‘God save us’ ”.

    But despite her initial concerns, Deepika said her mother truly loves Ranveer now.

    “It took a lot of years and work on my part to make a place in Amma’s heart. It has happened. And I am one of Amma’s favourite people in the world.”

    Perhaps what was even more wholesome about this entire interview was when the couple released a snippet of their wedding video during the episode. Watch and weep at your own risk.

  • First flight carrying asylum-seeking Afghans departs from Islamabad to UK today

    The first flight carrying asylum-seeking Afghans will depart from Islamabad International Airport for the United Kingdom on Thursday.

    200 Afghan refugees are reportedly going to fly out today.

    The Independent has reported that around 3,000 Afghans, many of whom worked for the British army, are to be given UK residency after the Afghan Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021.

    For the time being, the UK has accommodated them in Pakistan since 2022, whereas hundreds have been stuck and await their turn to get relocated.

    The Independent wrote that in “A U-turn of government policy, ministers have pledged that all Afghans eligible for the UK’s resettlement schemes will no longer have to wait for accommodation to be confirmed before coming to Britain”.

    This u-turn was taken after Pakistan gave an ultimatum to all undocumented foreign nationals to leave by November 1 after which they will be deported.

    A British High Commission delegation met senior officials from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) on Tuesday.

    According to the senior CAA official, around 2,000 Afghan refugees will be repatriated by mid-December through one or two weekly chartered flights from Islamabad to the UK.

  • Danish Kaneria requests BCCI and Narendra Modi to remove lifetime ban

    Danish Kaneria requests BCCI and Narendra Modi to remove lifetime ban

    Former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria appealed to BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help him remove a life time ban on him.

    During an interview to AJJ TAK, Danish Kaneria said, “I would like to appeal to PM Narendra Modi and also to the Indian cricket board to help me to remove life time ban on cricket that was imposed by ECB (England and Wales cricket Board).”

    ECB banned Danish Kaneria for being involved in a spot-fixing case in 2012.

  • College students from 100 American universities walkout to protest for Gaza ceasefire

    University campuses across the USA staged walkouts on Wednesday to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, as the death toll climbs to almost 6000 civilians. According to Teen Vogue, the walkout was organised by a number of groups including the Palestinian Youth Movement; Dissenters, an anti-war youth movement, National Students for Justice in Palestine and several others.

    Zoe DeMarcado, a student from Xavier University in Louisiana, said the walk-out was staged to bring attention to calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes have targeted bakeries, schools and mosques sheltering civilians. “The goal of our walkout and moment of silence is to disrupt the day-to-day complicity on American college campuses across the US,” she said. “We can’t stay silent about this.”

    Islamophobic hate crimes are on the rise in the US after six-year-old Palestinian-American Wadea Al-Fayoume was stabbed by his neighbour in Chicago on October 16. On 23 October, another 20-year-old Palestinian American was hospitalised after a hit-and-run in Cleaveland.

    More student activists are joining in on the call for a ceasefire and hold Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Nethanyu accountable for being a war criminal. A week ago, climate change activist Greta Thunberg expressed solidarity towards Palestine in an Instagram post, calling for a ceasefire. Several students from Harvard University were doxed by a conservative group, after they wrote an open letter calling out Israel over the genocide of Palestinians.

    Currently the Wednesday walk-out in support for Palestine is the first nationally coordinated student movement of this scale, with students from campuses like NYU, Yale and Duke demanding for an end to Israel’s siege on Palestine, ban on weapons sales to Israel and for an end to university investment in the Palestinian genocide.