Blog

  • How much does it cost to travel to all 203 countries without flying? One man has a figure worked out 

    How much does it cost to travel to all 203 countries without flying? One man has a figure worked out 

    Thor Pedersen has become the first ever man to have visited all the countries in the world without flying in an aeroplane. It took him a decade to do so but the major reason for the delay has been the pandemic which halted his journey in Hong Kong for nearly two years.

    It all started when he found out that nobody has ever done this before and if he does it, he will be the first person to do it. In his initial estimate, it would take him approximately four years to travel the globe but Covid-19 turned things a bit topsy-turvy.  Thor started the journey in 2013 and completed it in May 2023. The most peculiar part about it was that he never boarded a plane even once. He had the support of his family. His father said to him that even if you hear that one of us has died, do not come back on an aeroplane. 

    Thor says he required an average of USD 20 daily but it varied from country to country. In a country like Bolivia, $20 was way more than needed but in Singapore it was less than required. 

    He even did a job to support himself during his stay in Hong Kong. Considering the period of ten years and twenty dollars each day, the total amount needed would be between $70 thousand to $75 thousand. 

    A company called Ross Energy also sponsored him with 600 dollars a month during the journey. He travelled a distance of 382,000 kilometres and used almost twenty types of vehicles in a span of 3,512 days. The transport he used included buses, taxis, motor-bikes, trucks, trains, trams, rickshaws, container ships, boats, ferries, cruise-ships, carts, police-vans and a yacht. 

    Would he recommend it to people?

    The answer is a big no. Pedersen believes that the journey was extremely difficult and has taken a big chunk of his life along with money. People should invest their energy in things which are more productive and thrilling.

  • ‘I grieve with you and stand with you’; British PM visits Israel

    ‘I grieve with you and stand with you’; British PM visits Israel

    British prime minister Rishi Sunak landed in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Thursday morning to meet his counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu and President Herzog.

    He wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I am in Israel, a nation in grief. I grieve with you and stand with you against the evil that is terrorism. Today, and always.”

    During his meeting with Herzog, he said that it is vital to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, stating, “Palestinians are victims of what Hamas has done. It’s important that we continue to provide humanitarian access,”

    He, nonetheless, stressed on his full support to Israel to “defend” itself, “to bring security back” in the country to its people, and “to ensure the safe return of the hostages that have been taken”.

    As per reports of the meeting by Al Jazeera, “The Prime Minister and President Herzog stressed the imperative need to avoid further escalation of violence in the region. They agreed to continue working together to that end.”

    Later, PM Netanyahu, during his meeting with his British counterpart, said Hamas’ attack on October 7 was carried out to “destroy Israel’s regional peace moves in the region”.

    PM Sunak stated that the UK will provide increased aid to the region.

    “I’m proud to stand here with you in Israel’s darkest hour. As your friend, we will stand with you in solidarity, we will stand with your people, and we also want you to win,” Sunak said.

    In a short press conference, PM Netanyahu said, “This is not merely our battle, it’s the battle of the entire civilised war, the battle of Israel, the battle of moderate Arab countries, the battle of the free world, the battle for the future,

    “We have two forces – one is an axis of evil run by Iran and supported by Hezbollah, Hamas and others that want to bring back the Middle East to the Middle Ages … to the age of war and slavery.

    “The other forces [are those] of progress and humanity who want to push for a world of peace and prosperity.”

    PM Rishi Sunak will depart for Saudi Arabia today to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

  • Fans go crazy seeing Virat Kohli bowl after six years

    Fans go crazy seeing Virat Kohli bowl after six years

    Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli bowled in a one-day international for the first time in six years after all-rounder Hardik Pandya limped off midway through an over in Thursday’s World Cup match against Bangladesh.

    It was the first time Kohli had bowled at this level since a 2017 return of 0-12 in two overs against Sri Lanka in Colombo — a match where he scored 131 in a crushing 168-run win.
    Following a prolonged on-field treatment, Pandya tried running into bowl.

    But clearly still in pain, he could only hobble towards the crease and eventually limped off, with key batsman Kohli completing the over to huge cheers from Indian fans. Virat gave two runs in the three balls when he completed the over.

    After watching Virat’s bowling, fans couldn’t keep calm on social media and started sharing their reactions. Here are some reactions from fans on social media:

  • Sardiyon mein Passport office kab jaein?

    Sardiyon mein Passport office kab jaein?

    The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports has revealed operational hours for passport offices nationwide during winter.

    From Monday to Thursday, passport offices will be open to the public from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, while on Fridays, the timing will be adjusted from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM.

    The schedule will be followed in all regional passport offices, executive passport offices, and service counters which will be processing passport applications and facilitating passport issuance.

  • ‘Last chance’ given by Lahore High Court to recover Sheikh Rasheed

    ‘Last chance’ given by Lahore High Court to recover Sheikh Rasheed

    Awami Muslim League leader and former federal interior minister, Sheikh Rasheed, was arrested from his house in Rawalpindi last month. On Thursday, the Lahore High Court gave the police one more week to find him.

    At today’s hearing, RPO Rawalpindi Syed Khurram Ali and CPO Rawalpindi Khalid Hamdani appeared before the court, seeking more time for recovering Sheikh Rasheed.

    “How much more time do you need for recovery, what have you done so far,” the court asked the cops. The RPO Rawalpindi said the officers responsible for the arrest were not present in the area on that day.

    “We need a bit more time for recovery,’ the RPO informed the court.

    “We are giving you a week’s time as the last chance to recover Sheikh Rasheed else the court will pass an order with a warning,” was the reply.

    The hearing was then adjourned until October 27.

  • Saba Hamid’s recollection of her feminist parents is what every Pakistani parent needs to hear

    Saba Hamid’s recollection of her feminist parents is what every Pakistani parent needs to hear

    Responsible parenting everyone needs to take some good notes from!

    Veteran actress Saba Hamid was a guest on Maliha Rehman’s Youtube channel where she opened up about her childhood, especially the impact her late father, journalist Hameed Akhtar, had on her.

    “My father was a feminist,” described the actress, adding that “He was a big believer in equal rights till his last breath from day one.”

    Speaking about her family, the ‘Jaisay Apki Marzi’ actress said she was one of four daughters and obe son but her parents never made them feel like there was inequality between them on the basis of gender. Hamid elaborated how chores around the house that are generally male-oriented like calling the plumber, or driving, were taught to all the siblings. Her parents also didn’t put any restrictions on their daughters while allowing their son to stay out late. “I was scolded just as much as he was if he stayed out late.”

    These teachings, Saba observed, made her assume that the world would treat men and women equally the way her father had. But soon grew to realise that it was the opposite.

    The ‘Laal Ishq’ actress further opened up about how liberated her mother was, not seeking permission from their father to go anywhere because he gave her liberation. She spoke about her mother announcing to their father that she was visiting her sister in Islamabad for a day, and his reaction being simply “okay”.

    “We grew up thinking this is how it is, this is the way the world is. It was quite later I realised you had to seek permission from a partner to go somewhere.”

    We are completely moved by Saba’s account of her father and his gentle parenting that made her into the fierce woman she is today- and also helped her raise two phenomenally powerful individuals like Meesha and Faris Shafi. We hope more parents, especially fathers to newborn daughters, watch this clip and take a lesson in how giving girls independence can help them later in life.

  • Pink toilets to be established across South Punjab

    Pink toilets to be established across South Punjab

    Pink toilets, a project to be implemented in public spaces in Bahawalpur along the highways, has now expanded to government offices across South Punjab.

    In the last leg of the project, 433 toilets are to be constructed in government offices throughout the region. They are designed specifically for working and visiting women-a major step towards promotion of gender equality and facilitation of women.

    The initiative commenced at the South Punjab Secretariat under the guidance of Additional Chief Secretary South Punjab, Captain (R) Saqib Zafar.

    The foundation was laid by the Secretary Services South Punjab, Engineer Amjad Shoaib Khan Tareen. He, while addressing the ceremony, informed the attendees about a survey that has been carried out to identify optimal locations for these facilities. The administration of all three divisions have been asked to complete the project by November 9.

    He stated that the project is proof of determination of the management towards the cause of ensuring the well being of women. It also signifies the commitment to the purpose of creating an inclusive and accommodating environment for the female workforce.

  • Inappropriate behavior with Babar Azam and team; Gautam Gambhir angry at Indian spectators

    Inappropriate behavior with Babar Azam and team; Gautam Gambhir angry at Indian spectators

    Former India opener and current World Cup commentary panel member Gautam Gambhir expressed anger at Indian spectators for their inappropriate behavior towards the Pakistan team in Ahmedabad during the Pak-India match on October 14.

    In a column published in Khaleej Times, Gautam Gambhir wrote, “Though our team India has won three out of three matches, I don’t think we have won the hearts of Indian cricket team supporters.”

    “Our turnout at the ground during matches other than the Indian team has been extremely low which makes me wonder if we really love the game or are just obsessed with Indian superstars,” he wrote.

    Gambhir also criticized the behavior of Indian fans towards opposing teams and wrote, “During the first match between Afghanistan and India in Delhi, the spectators abused Naveen-ul-Haq and continuously chanted Kohli-Kohli in front of him because in IPL there was an argument between the two, then later, we abused Babar Azam at the toss in Ahmedabad while shouting unnecessary slogans at the Pakistani batsmen while returning to the pavilion.”

    Read More: Pakistani cricketers show solidarity with Palestine

    Gambhir further wrote that it is unimaginable that a society which gave the world the “concept of ‘the whole world is one family’ could be so contradictory”.

    Addressing his nation, the former cricketer wrote, “If we want to win the bid for the 2036 Olympic Games, we have to adopt a more neutral attitude.”

    He mentioned that Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur also criticized the atmosphere and said that it does not seem like an ICC event.

    “Also when I was commentating there in Ahmedabad, I was not at all proud to see such bigoted behavior,” Gambhir wrote.

    The former cricketer wrote that he is in favor of competition in sports and supporting any team but, added, “That does not give us the license to abuse and humiliate the opposing team.”

  • PTI ko chahiye sirf ‘ballay’ ka nishan

    PTI ko chahiye sirf ‘ballay’ ka nishan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to promptly release a detailed written order regarding the issuance of the party’s election symbol.

    Highlighting the importance of justice and fairness, Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, the party’s counsel, submitted an application on Wednesday to the Commission, emphasizing the necessity of a comprehensive decision in the interest of transparency.

    Senator Zafar underscored that the Election Commission’s earlier notice to the PTI, rejecting the allocation of the cricket bat symbol due to purported intra-party election discrepancies, was a misstep. He contended that the PTI had indeed conducted intra-party elections on June 9, 2022, in accordance with its constitution.

    According to Senator Zafar, the Election Commission’s subsequent decision on August 30, 2023, had validated the PTI’s stance on the legitimacy of the intra-party elections and had signaled the allocation of the bat symbol.

    However, despite the Commission’s initial commitment to issue a detailed decision following the verbal announcement, the order had not been provided even after 41 days.

    “PTI is the largest political party in the country, which is contesting the upcoming elections. Not issuing a detailed decision even after 41 days is a clear violation of fundamental rights, including articles 4, 9, 10A, 15, 16, 17 and 26 of the Constitution,” he said.

    Ali Zafar insisted that according to the Constitution, ECP was bound to hold free, fair, impartial, and transparent elections, while avoiding detailed decisions was a deviation from this constitutional mandate.

    He further added that under the Constitution of Pakistan, the ECP was bound to organize and conduct the election in a manner that was honest, just, fair, and in accordance with the law, but the non-issuance of the detailed written order was contrary to this.

    “The entire world is watching the proceedings of the ECP and the delay in the decision is unnecessarily creating contrary false rumors as if the decision orally announced on Aug 30, 2023, is going to be varied,” he said.

  • Want a pet that will live for a hundred years? This Giant Sulcata tortoise needs a home

    Want a pet that will live for a hundred years? This Giant Sulcata tortoise needs a home

    A woman living in the Canadian region of British Columbia, near the city of Richmond, was paid a surprise visit from a giant tortoise of the endangered African breed Sulcata in the backyard of her farmhouse.

    Shelly Smith, a dog trainer, initially presumed the animal to be a rock poking out from the rows of spinach but it turned out that it was moving too-not all of a sudden but at a slow speed.

    She called a local animal shelter. Interestingly, while she was asked about the size of the tortoise, she blurted out that “it was bigger than the platter you’d use to serve 24 people a Thanksgiving turkey.”

    The tortoise has been named as Frank the Tank and is now living with a foster family until it finds a permanent home.

    The Sulcata breed of tortoise is endangered but keeping them could be very overwhelming because of the size they grow to and the care they demand so it is common for owners to abandon them. They are relatively cheap (almost 500 Canadian dollars) but these are the kinds of pets which are passed onto the next of kin in the will. Apart from the huge size they grow up to, they can live almost 150 years.

    Frank the Tank currently weighs 35 pounds and is expected to grow to 50 pounds. His age at the moment is unknown but it appears he probably has a century in hand.

    The veterinarian at the shelter house said, “You really have to plan on what you have to do with him after you die.”