Tag: Top News

  • Indian media falls for Pakistani meme, fact checks Arya Stark’s picture as ‘Kashmiri girl’

    Indian media falls for Pakistani meme, fact checks Arya Stark’s picture as ‘Kashmiri girl’

    Amid the ongoing unrest in held Kashmir, a viral picture of Game of Thrones (GoT) character Arya Stark being portrayed as a Kashmiri girl, has been fact-checked by Indian media.

    As per the details, the image was first shared by a Twitter handle, “Fan of Zaidu”, mentioning Arya — played by Maisie Williams — as a Kashmiri girl “who had gone blind after being hit by a pellet gun”.

    https://twitter.com/TheZaiduLeaks/status/1157727539873402882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1157727539873402882&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewsmobile.in%2Farticles%2F2019%2F08%2F14%2Fpicture-of-gots-arya-stark-shared-as-kashmiri-girl-heres-the-fact-check%2F

    It wasn’t later that the image took the micro-blogging website by storm.

    Despite the handle clearly stating that its tweets are nothing but satire and “100% fake”, Indian media has started doing fact checks over the image, claiming that Pakistan’s premium intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), was “leading the propaganda campaign against India”.

    Moreover, a noted Indian scholar and activist, Madhu Kishwar, has retweeted the image and asked Fact Check India to “confirm if it is real”.

    India TV Editor-In-Chief Rajat Sharma has also accused Pakistan of spreading false propaganda.

    https://twitter.com/TheZaiduLeaks/status/1161722132214308864

    The image comes as tensions soar on either side of the border ever since India robbed occupied Kashmir of its special status. Pakistan fears the move can lead to a Muslim genocide in the troubled valley.

  • VIDEO: Humiliation for India as soldier slips during Wagah ceremony on Independence Day

    VIDEO: Humiliation for India as soldier slips during Wagah ceremony on Independence Day

    India has yet again faced humiliation at the Wagah Border as one of its soldiers participating in the daily lowering of the flags ceremony slipped in front of the crowd on Pakistan’s Independence Day.

    The ceremony at the Wagah-Attari Border is a daily military practice that the security forces of Pakistan and India have jointly followed since 1959.

    Fervour was at its peak as military personnel of both countries, amid soaring tensions, started performing in front of a mammoth crowd on both sides of the border on Wednesday.

    Things, however, took a comical turn when the Indian soldier leading his side couldn’t maintain his balance and slipped.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    A video of the incident went viral over the internet, reacting to which Pakistanis asked if “these soldiers will steal Kashmir from us”.

    https://twitter.com/SyedAsad299/status/1161619036062519297

    Earlier, Pakistan celebrated its 73rd Independence Day as Kashmir Solidarity Day to express support to Kashmiris in their struggle against Indian occupying forces.

    New Delhi had earlier this month robbed Kashmir of its special status, paving way for a Muslim genocide in the disputed valley. Islamabad fears the development can lead to major demographic transformations in the region and affect Kashmiris’ struggle for their right to self-determination.

  • Abhinandan to be awarded one of India’s highest bravery awards

    Abhinandan to be awarded one of India’s highest bravery awards

    Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman of the Indian Air Force (IAF), who was arrested after being shot down by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) over intrusion in February 2019, will be conferred with the Vir Chakra, India’s third-highest wartime medal.

    According to media reports, Abhinandan’s name was recommended by the IAF for the gallantry awards annually conferred upon on India’s Independence Day.

    Meanwhile, Indian media has claimed that the IAF pilot was shot down because he could not hear instructions asking him to turn back after his communications system was jammed by Pakistan.

    “If his MiG-21 Bison had been equipped with anti-jamming technology, Abhinandan may have turned around when instructed to,” a report claimed, adding that it would have prevented him from being shot down and taken captive by Pakistan.

    Abhinandan was shot down during a dogfight with PAF jets on February 27 as tensions soared following the February 14 Pulwama attack. He was handed over by Pakistan to India at the Wagah-Attari border crossing on March 1 as a peace gesture.

  • Did PEMRA just ban Knorr Noodles and Surf Excel Ads?

    Did PEMRA just ban Knorr Noodles and Surf Excel Ads?

    Yes, it sure did. Pakistan’s Electronic Media Regulation Authority (PEMRA) has banned Pakistani television channels from airing advertisements with Indian actors, characters and talent because of the recent escalation of Indian aggression in occupied Kashmir.

    PEMRA’s notice via twitter

    But wait a minute. How are Safeguard soap, Surf Excel, Dettol, Knorr Noodles and Fogg Body Spray ads Indian? Although PEMRA doesn’t clarify which ads have Indian actors and talent they have also banned ads that have “various products of multinationals , which are either produced in India or carrying Indian characters…” suggesting that the list of products/companies they have provided might have had content produced in India.

    This is the perfect opportunity for ad agencies to pitch to the companies listed since the ban will stay in affect until the ads are replaced by ones produced in Pakistan. PEMRA also says that if TV channels continue to air the ads, legal action will be taken against them and the TV channel’s license can be suspended.

  • Indian film industry bans Mika Singh after Karachi performance

    Indian film industry bans Mika Singh after Karachi performance

    The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has banned singer Mika Singh from the Indian film industry for performing at an event in Karachi, Pakistan.

    According to details, Mika performed at the mehndi ceremony of former President General Pervez Musharraf’s close relative’s daughter. After a video from the wedding went viral, social media went into uproar since this move came after India stripped Kashmir of its special status by removing Article 370.

    https://twitter.com/HamidMirPAK/status/1160062315544403968?s=20

    Mika was granted permission to perform in Karachi even though Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on the same day, August 8, had reiterated that no Indian movie will be screened in Pakistani cinemas. Talking to media, Awan said a policy was being formulated to ban all kinds of Indian cultural content in Pakistan.

    Following Mika’s performance, AICWA President Suresh Shyamlal Gupta in a letter stated: “AICWA bans and boycott singer Mika Singh from the Indian film industry for performing at a high profile event at Karachi dated August 8, 2019.”

    The statement further read that “AICWA workers will make sure that no one in India works with Mika Singh and if anyone does, they will face legal consequences in the court of law”.

    “When the tension between the countries is at the peak, Mika Singh puts money above the nation’s pride,” the film association said.

    Mika and his crew were given visas for 30 days to perform in three cities – Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.

  • Indian anchor drowns while reporting Karnataka floods

    Indian anchor drowns while reporting Karnataka floods

    An Indian television anchor reporting on Karnataka floods drowned.

    Well, not really. A clip of an anchor of a Kannada TV channel has gone viral where the anchor drowns in water graphics reporting on the recent floods in Karnataka.

    While some people found the clip funny, others thought it was an insensitive way to report on floods that actually take lives and causes mayhem.

    Well, India cannot outdo Pakistan when it comes to flood reporting. A reporter of GTV News actually reported on floods while he was neck-deep in the water. Now, this is called reporting!

  • Eid releases: A starry affair

    Eid releases: A starry affair

    Three major releases, namely Parey Hut Love, Heer Maan Ja and Superstar, are hitting the screens this Eid ul Azha and the excitement and promotions for the films are in full swing. Moreso, all three films have A-listers in their cast. From Mahira Khan to Hareem Farooq, from Sheheryar Munawar to Ali Rehman Khan, the casts of all the films are lit which make them all the more appealing.

    But what’s interesting is that it appears that every member of the Pakistani film industry is part of at least one of three films which makes the films even more starry than before. While Meera Jee and Fawad Khan have cameos in Parey Hut Love, Hania Aamir and Syra Shehroz make an appearance in Superstar. Mikaal Zulfiqar and Ahmed Ali Akbar have guest appearances in Heer Maan Jaa. The names above are just a few and the makers of the film have promised us even more stars.

    Essentially cameos, especially starry cameos, are added to draw more attention towards the films and increase their star value and every film’s director and producer has applied that formula in their films. Basically, this means that even if the films have no storyline, no plot, we’ll still be excited to watch them because you don’t know who’ll pop up onscreen next.

    Nonetheless, The Current asked the makers behind the films to decode this concept for us and this is what they had to say.

    Speaking exclusively to The Current, Asim remarked, “Feature films are made to entertain people and you have to keep looking for any and every possibility on how you can entertain them. Mixing things such as cameos or guest appearances by known faces with characters brings vibrance and excitement that is needed for any film.”

    “This is not the first time that I have done this,” he continued. “In my first feature film, three years ago, Ho Mann Jahaan, I introduced this concept. Why others are doing it, I don’t know, but I’m doing it because I believe in it. It’s a way of adding more entertainment for my viewers.”

    Asim concluded his remarks saying that his films are for the masses and he would do anything that is decently possible to keep them entertained and engaged.

    We also caught the producer of Heer Maan Ja, Hareem Farooq as she was promoting the film and asked her the same. Hareem started off by laughing that this was done to add more star power to the film and make it more attractive for the audiences. She then commented that guest appearances were the need of the film as the script demanded it.

    When asked how the filmmakers decided who to cast, Hareem replied, “Some actors were decided when we were writing the script. So some of the guest roles were written keeping in mind the actor. Others were cast once the script was finalised and we felt that they would be best suited for the role.”

    Looks like this Eid is all about the more the merrier. But hey, we’re not complaining.

    Which film are you most excited for?

  • ‘Its all love everywhere’: Hamza Ali Abbasi shares Hajj experience

    ‘Its all love everywhere’: Hamza Ali Abbasi shares Hajj experience

    Among the many celebrities who went for Hajj this year is actor/host Hamza Ali Abbasi.

    In an interview with Arab News, Hamza recounted his wonderful experience and praised Saudi authorities for making the pilgrimage a smooth experience.

    “To Muslims everywhere, please come here once,” Hamza said. “You cannot even begin to imagine the experience. You have to be here in person to experience each and every bit of it.”

    “When I came here, my first impression was inclusiveness,” Hamza continued. “Seeing people from literally every country on the face of this planet, united under this one creed that there is only one God.”

    “My second impression was just the scale of it. More two million people at one place. You can’t help but imagine what kind of logistical nightmare it would be, but it goes very smoothly; having no issues, well-taken care of…It goes so seamlessly that you don’t realise what kind of a mammoth effort goes behind it,” he added.

    Sharing further, Hamza said, “The attitude of the people; they’ve been travelling for a long time. And if you travel for any other cause except Allah, you’d be tired, fatigued or irritable. But because they are travelling for a cause, for Allah, you see them smiling. You see them charitable…the pilgrims, they’re very helpful, [as are] the volunteers.”

    “The atmosphere is like a very big brotherhood. And it’s all love everywhere,” he concluded.

    Hamza is among the 200,000 Pakistani pilgrims who undertook their spiritual journey to Islam’s holiest cities of Makkah and Madinah this year. Spotting him in the crowd in his bright white ihram, many fellow pilgrims requested to take pictures with him.

    Other known faces who also performed Hajj this year include singer Atif Aslam and actor Feroze Khan. Feroze even shared a picture of all of them in Makkah.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B1CcWWXhV-z/
  • Shireen Mazari urges UNICEF to remove Priyanka Chopra as Goodwill Peace Ambassador

    Shireen Mazari urges UNICEF to remove Priyanka Chopra as Goodwill Peace Ambassador

    Priyanka Chopra’s response to a Pakistani woman who accused her of warmongering has caused an uproar worldwide, except in India of course.

    Minister for Human Rights Pakistan Shireen Mazari, in a tweet, asked UNICEF to take immediate action and remove Priyanka as their peace ambassador.

    Actor/humanitarian Armeena Khan also shared an open letter to UNICEF in which she outlined all the details and asked UNICEF if this is how a Goodwill Peace Ambassador is supposed to behave like.

    https://twitter.com/ArmeenaRK/status/1160994762582908929?s=20

    Senator Sherry Rehman also expressed her contempt on Priyanka’s comments.

    Meanwhile, Pakistanis began to compare Priyanka’s comments with those of Mehwish Hayat and asked Priyanka to learn a thing or two from the Pakistani actor. Mehwish, who received the Pride of Performance from the Norwegian Government gave a strong speech in which she highlighted the plight of the Kashmiris and called out Bollywood and Hollywood for misrepresenting Muslims and Pakistanis.

    Mehwish in her speech also urged Bollywood to decide whether their nationalism is more important or a peaceful future is.

  • Police arrests a man for a TikTok video of firing gunshots in the air

    Police arrests a man for a TikTok video of firing gunshots in the air

    A man in India was arrested for posting a video on
    TikTok of himself firing in the air with a  pistol.

    As per reports, Faizan is addicted to TikTok and he was celebrating his 32nd birthday with his friends and wanted to make it memorable. So he fired some shots in the air from a pistol, recorded it and later uploaded the video on TikTok.

    The video went viral on Facebook and Whatsapp sending the Delhi Police a security alert. The Cyber Cell of the Delhi Police tracked the exact location of the video after which the police arrested Faizan from his residence.

    Faizan’s father is a popular caterer in old Delhi. He
    helps his father in his business. He confessed to his crime. The weapon and the
    mobile phone used in the crime were also seized from him.