Tag: trending

  • Two trains collide in Bangladesh, leaving 17 dead, 100 injured

    Two trains collide in Bangladesh, leaving 17 dead, 100 injured

    In a tragic incident on Monday afternoon, two trains in Bangladesh collided in the Eastern city of Bhairab leaving more than 17 dead and a hundred people injured.

    The incident occurred when a freight train collided with a passenger train traveling in opposite directions, resulting in the derailment of two passenger carriages.

    The railway administration has expressed concern that the death toll will rise because rescuers are still working to extricate bodies from under the overturned coaches. Two individuals have been recovered up till now as per the Red Crescent team.

    The initial rescue efforts were made by local residents and volunteers who rushed to the scene. Other response teams like the Rapid Action Battalion Security Force, Police and Fire Services have been sent there as well.

  • 300 celebs thank Biden for recovering Israeli hostages but don’t mention 5000 dead Palestinians

    300 celebs thank Biden for recovering Israeli hostages but don’t mention 5000 dead Palestinians

    A letter circulating widely on social media titled #NoHostagesLeftBehind has the signatures of 300 Hollywood celebrities who thanked USA president Joe Biden for recovering two Israeli hostages, Nurit Copper and Yocheved Lifshitz, from Hamas. Previously Hamas had released two American captives Judith Ranaan and her daughter Natalie Ranaan.

    The letter went on to express concern over 220 innocent people “including 30 children, remain in captive by terrorists, threatened with torture and death. They were taken by Hamas in the savage massacre of October 7, where over 1,400 Israelis were slaughtered – women raped, families burned alive, and infants beheaded.”

    However, the death toll of Palestinian children killed from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has reached 2,055. But the letter chooses to not mention them or any casualty on the Palestinian side.

    The letter went on to thank President Biden for supporting the Jewish people who were “terrorized by the Hamas since the group’s founding over 35 years ago” and also for helping the Palestinians “who have also been terrorized, oppressed, and victimized by Hamas for the last 17 years that the group has been governing Gaza.”

    According to Al-Jazeera, the death toll of Palestinian has reached to 5000 after consistent bombing in the past 24 hours. Dozens of buildings have been destroyed, one million people are displaced who are also denied basic necessities like food, water and electricity.

    The letter ended with the celebrities claiming their aim is “Freedom for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace. Freedom from the brutal violence spread by Hamas. And most urgently, in this moment, freedom for the hostages.”

    Here are all the celebrities who had signed the letter.

    Adam & Jackie Sandler
    Amy Schumer
    Aaron Sorkin
    Barry Diller
    Behati Prinsloo
    Bella Thorne
    Ben Stiller
    Bob Odenkirk
    Bobbi Brown
    Bradley Cooper
    Brett Gelman
    Chris Rock
    Constance Wu
    Courteney Cox
    David Alan Grier
    David Chang
    David Geffen
    David Oyelowo
    Diane Von Furstenberg
    Eli Roth
    Emma Seligman
    Eric Andre
    Ewan McGregor
    Gal Gadot
    Gwyneth Paltrow
    Harvey Keitel
    Isla Fisher
    Jack Black
    James Brolin
    Jason Blum
    Jason Sudeikis
    Jeff Goldblum
    Jerry Seinfeld 
    Jesse Plemons
    Jessica Biel
    Jessica Seinfeld
    Joey King
    John Slattery
    Jon Hamm
    Jordan Peele
    Josh Brolin
    Judd Apatow
    Judge Judy Sheindlin
    Julia Garner
    Julianna Margulies
    Julie Rudd
    Justin Theroux
    Justin Timberlake
    Karlie Kloss
    Katy Perry
    Kirsten Dunst
    Lana Del Rey
    Laura Dern
    Liev Schreiber
    Madonna
    Martin Short
    Michelle Williams
    Mila Kunis
    Nicola Peltz
    Noa Tishby
    Olivia Wilde
    Orlando Bloom
    Paul & Julie Rudd
    Richard Jenkins
    Rita Ora
    Ross Duffer
    Sacha Baron Cohen
    Sam Levinson
    Sarah Paulson
    Sean Combs
    Shira Haas
    Sting & Trudie Styler 
    Taika Waititi
    Thomas Kail
    Tiffany Haddish
    Tyler Perry
    Will Ferrell
    Andy Cohen
    Alex Edelman
    Amy Sherman Palladino

    Aubrey Plaza
    Barry Levinson
    Billy Crystal
    Brad Falchuk
    Brian Grazer
    Bridget Everett

    Brooke Shields

    Chelsea Handler

    Chloe Fineman

    Chris Jericho

    Colleen Camp

    David Schwimmer

    Dawn Porter

    Dean Cain

    Debra Messing

    Elisabeth Shue
    Erin Foster
    Eugene Levy
    Gene Stupinski
    Gina Gershon
    Guy Oseary
    Henry Winkler
    Holland Taylor
    James Corden
    Jason Reitman
    Jessica Elbaum
    Jimmy Carr
    Jonathan Ross
    Josh Charles
    Juliette Lewis
    Kristen Schaal
    Kristin Chenoweth
    Lea Michele
    Mark Foster
    Mary Elizabeth Winstead
    Matthew Weiner
    Michael Rappaport
    Molly Shannon
    Noah Schnapp
    Pattie LuPone
    Regina Spektor
    Sara Foster
    Sarah Cooper
    Scott Braun
    Seth Meyers
    Sharon Stone
    Zack Snyder
    Zoey Deutch
    Zosia Mamet
    Zoe Saldana
    Alex Aja
    Aaron Bay-Schuck
    Amy Chozick
    Aron Coleite
    Adam Goodman
    Alan Grubman
    Adam Levine
    Allan Loeb
    Amy Pascal
    Angela Robinson
    Antonio Campos
    Anthony Russo 
    Alexandra Shiva
    Andrew Singer
    Alison Statter
    Alona Tal
    Ali Wentworth
    Ari Dayan
    Ari Greenburg
    Arik Kneller
    Ashley Levinson
    Asif Satchu
    Barbara Hershey
    Barry Rosenstein
    Beau Flynn
    Ben Turner
    Ben Winston
    Ben Younger
    Blair Kohan
    Bobby Kotick
    Brad Slater
    Bradley Fischer
    Bruna Papandrea
    Cameron Curtis
    Casey Neistat
    Cazzie David
    Charles Roven
    Chris Fischer
    Christian Carino
    Cindi Berger
    Claire Coffee
    Craig Silverstein
    Dan Aloni

    Dan Rosenweig

    Dana Goldberg

    Dana Klein

    Danny Strong

    Daniel Palladino

    Danielle Bernstein

    Danny Cohen

    Daphne Kastner

    David Bernad

    David Baddiel

    David Ellison

    David Gilmour &

    Polly Sampson

    David Goodman

    David Joseph

    David Kohan

    David Lowery

    Deborah Lee Furness

    Deborah Snyder
    Donny Deutsch
    Doug Liman
    Douglas Chabbott
    Eddy Kitsis
    Edgar Ramirez
    Elizabeth Himelstein
    Embeth Davidtz
    Emmanuelle Chriqui 
    Erik Feig
    Evan Jonigkeit
    Evan Winiker
    Francis Benhamou
    Francis Lawrence
    Fred Raskin
    Gabe Turner
    Gail Berman
    Gary Barber
    Genevieve Angelson
    Gideon Raff
    Grant Singer
    Greg Berlanti
    Guy Nattiv
    Hannah Fidell
    Hannah Graf
    Harlan Coben
    Harold Brown
    Henrietta Conrad
    Howard Gordon
    Iain Morris
    Imran Ahmed
    Inbar Lavi
    Jackie Sandler
    Jake Graf
    Jake Kasdan 
    Jamie Ray Newman
    Jaron Varsano
    Jason Fuchs
    Jason Biggs & Jenny Mollen Biggs

    Jason Segel
    JD Lifshitz
    Jeff Rake
    Jen Joel
    Jeremy Piven
    Jesse Itzler
    Jesse Sisgold
    Jill Littman
    Jody Gerson
    Joe Hipps
    Joe Quinn
    Joe Russo
    Joe Tippett
    Joel Fields 
    John Landgraf 
    Jon Bernthal
    Jon Glickman
    Jon Liebman
    Jonathan Baruch
    Jonathan Groff 
    Jonathan Tropper

    Jonathan Marc Sherman
    Jonathan Steinberg
    Jonathan Tisch
    Josh Goldstine
    Josh Greenstein
    Josh Grode
    Julia Lester 
    Julie Greenwald
    Karen Pollock
    Kelley Lynch
    Kevin Kane

    Kevin Zegers

    Kitao Sakurai

    KJ Steinberg

    Laura Pradelska

    Lauren Schuker Blum

    Laurence Mark

    Laurie David

    Lee Eisenberg

    Leslie Siebert

    Leo Pearlman

    Limor Gott

    Lina Esco

    Liz Garbus

    Lizanne Rosenstein

    Lizzie Tisch

    Lorraine Schwartz

    Lynn Harris

    Lyor Cohen

    Mandana Dayani

    Maria Dizzia 

    Mara Buxbaum

    Marc Webb

    Marco Perego

    Mark Feuerstein

    Mark Shedletsky
    Mark Scheinberg
    Mathew Rosengart
    Matt Lucas
    Matt Miller
    Matthew Bronfman
    Matthew Hiltzik
    Matti Leshem
    Dame Maureen Lipman
    Max Mutchnik
    Maya Lasry
    Meaghan Oppenheimer
    Melissa Zukerman
    Michael Ellenberg
    Michael Aloni
    Michael Green
    Michael Rapino
    Michael Weber
    Mike Medavoy
    Mimi Leder
    Modi Wiczyk
    Nancy Josephson 
    Natasha Leggero
    Neil Blair
    Neil Druckmann
    Nicole Avant
    Nina Jacobson
    Noa Kirel 
    Noah Oppenheim
    Noreena Hertz
    Odeya Rush
    Oran Zegman
    Pasha Kovalev
    Paul Haas
    Paul Pflug
    Peter Traugott
    Rachel Riley
    Rafi Marmor
    Ram Bergman
    Raphael Margulies 
    Rebecca Angelo
    Rebecca Mall
    Reinaldo Marcus Green
    Rich Statter
    Richard Kind
    Rick Hoffman
    Rick Rosen
    Robert Newman
    Rob Rinder
    Roger Birnbaum
    Roger Green
    Rosie O’Donnell
    Ryan Feldman
    Sam Trammell
    Sarah Baker
    Sarah Bremner
    Sarah Treem
    Scott Tenley
    Seth Oster
    Scott Braun
    Scott Neustadter
    Shannon Watts
    Shari Redstone
    Sharon Jackson
    Shauna Perlman
    Shawn Levy
    Sheila Nevins
    Simon Sebag Montefiore
    Simon Tikhman
    Skylar Astin 
    Stacey Snider
    Stephen Fry
    Steve Agee
    Steve Rifkind
    Susanna Felleman
    Susie Arons 
    Todd Lieberman
    Todd Moscowitz
    Todd Waldman
    Tom Freston
    Tom Werner
    Tomer Capone 
    Tracy Ann Oberman
    Trudie Styler
    Tyler James Williams
    Vanessa Bayer 
    Veronica Grazer
    Veronica Smiley
    Whitney Wolfe Herd
    Will Graham
    Yamanieka Saunders
    Yariv Milchan
    Ynon Kreiz

  • Punjab caretakers suspend Nawaz’s sentence in Al-Azizia reference

    Punjab caretakers suspend Nawaz’s sentence in Al-Azizia reference

    In a surprise move, the Punjab caretaker government has suspended the sentence of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia reference.

    According to Asim Naseer of Samaa TV, the Punjab caretaker government has used its power under Section 401 of the Criminal Procedure Code to suspend the sentence.

    Nawaz Sharif’s sentence was also suspended before travelling to London in 2019, when Usman Buzdar was the Chief Minister.

    Caretaker Punjab Information Minister Amir Mir confirmed to Samaa that the government has suspended the sentence of former prime minister by using its constitutional authority.

    He also clarified that the caretaker government can only suspend the sentence, not end it completely.

    An accountability court sentenced the former prime minister to seven years imprisonment in 2018 in the Al-Azizia steel mills corruption case.

    The senior politician is also ready to appear in the Toshakhana case before Judge Muhammad Bashir at the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC).

    According to the court, the permanent arrest warrant of Nawaz Sharif has been suspended, but if he doesn’t appear before the court, the warrants will be restored.

  • ‘Til trash do us part: Taiwan couple embraces garbage wedding shoot

    ‘Til trash do us part: Taiwan couple embraces garbage wedding shoot

    A Taiwanese couple decked out in a tux and gown embrace in front of a mountain of trash in an unorthodox wedding photo – one the environment-conscious bride hopes will discourage her guests from generating unnecessary garbage.

    Greenpeace campaigner Iris Hsueh and her fiance are having their “environmentally friendly wedding” in January, and have asked guests to bring their own containers for taking home leftovers.

    Deciding that showing – not telling – was a more effective communication method, the Taipei-based couple travelled three hours south for a photo shoot in Nantou county’s Puli township, where the amount of trash brought to a local dump has steadily risen over the years.

    “If any guests are not willing to bring along a container, I would show them the photograph and say, ‘would you reconsider?’” the 33-year-old told AFP, adding that the photos ended up drawing local media attention.

    “I didn’t think it would create such a big sensation.”

    Self-ruled Taiwan, an island of 23 million people, has had a recycling programme since 1987, with over 50 per cent of household trash processed through the system – among the highest rates in the world.

    But Puli township’s sanitation crew chief Chen Chun-hung said the amount of garbage there has mushroomed – back in the 1980s, it was about 20 tonnes a day; now, its about 50.

  • ‘If the Ministry of Interior cannot provide security to one person, how will it conduct elections’: Election Commission

    ‘If the Ministry of Interior cannot provide security to one person, how will it conduct elections’: Election Commission

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) faced a setback on Tuesday as PTI Chairman Imran Khan couldn’t make it to a hearing due to security concerns. The Interior Ministry and Islamabad police were worried about the risks involved in bringing him to the commission, as he’s currently in jail for cipher case.

    Although the commission had earlier ordered that Imran Khan’s appear in person, the police and the ministry raised serious concerns about the safety of such a move.

    The commission was hearing a defamation case against the PTI chief, Asad Umar, and Fawad Chaudhry. A four-member commission headed by Nisar Durrani adjourned the hearing till November 13.

    Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar appeared before the commission, while Imran Khan was not brought to the election commission from Adiala Jail.

    PTI lawyer Shoaib Shaheen said the real insult to the election commission has taken place today.

    The operations assistant inspector general of police (AIG) submitted a report regarding Imran Khan, stating that Rawalpindi was a densely populated area, which is not without dangers.

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan has himself said there are threats to his life, the report stated.

    ECP’s member from Sindh, Nisar Durrani, asked the AIG if he believed whatever Imran Khan said was true.

    The Interior Ministry suggested that the election commission go to Adiala Jail to conduct the hearing to which the commission questioned how the ministry ordered them, ordering the interior secretary to appear before the commission.

    The commission asked the ministry to get it in writing from Imran Khan that he was sorry.

    “If the Ministry of Interior cannot provide security to one person, how will it conduct elections?” the commission questioned.

    ECP’s production order stated, “Since the respondent is in Adiala Jail […] and his personal appearance is mandatory to proceed further with the matter. In such view of the matter, there is no alternate except to issue production order of respondent namely Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi.”

  • Bilawal demands general elections as soon as possible

    Bilawal demands general elections as soon as possible

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has demanded again that general elections be conducted as soon as possible, stating that delaying polls is to deny them.

    “Elections delayed are election denied,” Bilawal said while addressing the celebration of the golden jubilee of the Constitution of Pakistan in an event organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Monday.

    The former foreign minister again demanded an election schedule and a “level playing field” for all the political parties.

    While talking about the lawyer’s movement in 2009, Bilawal said that it was an important event for the restoration of judiciary and had a far-reaching impact on dynamics between the judiciary and parliament.

    The PPP chairman stressed that general elections in 2013 and 2018 were not free and fair.

    “It is hoped, that this time it will be different,” he added.

  • Indian father welcomes back divorced daughter with a ‘Baraat’

    Indian father welcomes back divorced daughter with a ‘Baraat’

    The father of a divorced daughter in Jharkhand, India, Prem Gupta broke away from all the norms and welcomed back his daughter with a grand procession similar to that of a ‘baraat’. In a viral video of the event, women can be seen chanting and welcoming the daughter with open arms. The beat of a drum follows her as she greets everyone.

    Mr. Gupta posted the video himself with a caption that stated, “When your daughter’s marriage is done with great pomp and show and if the spouse and family turns out to be wrong or does wrong things then you should bring your daughter back to your home with respect and honour because daughters are very precious.”

    As per the details, Sakshi Gupta got married to Sachin Kumar in April. A few days into the marriage she found out that the man was already married twice and that there allegations of harassment were filed against him. Divorce was filed with an alimony of INR 17 lakh that Gupta gave to her in-laws at the time of wedding is to be paid back to her. Sakshi is happy to have such supportive parents and Mr.Gupta has set an example to shatter the stigma around divorce.

  • Kazakhstan puts ban on Hijab in schools

    Kazakhstan puts ban on Hijab in schools

    Kazakhstan government, home to a population with 70 per cent Muslims, has announced a ban on head-scarves for students and teachers in schools and educational institutions.

    “Requirements for the school uniform prohibit the wearing of the hijab, since any attribute, symbol, element in one way or another implies propaganda of the dogma to which they relate. Ensuring the equality of all religions before the law, the principles of secularism do not allow the advantage of any religion,” the Kazakh Government’s website stated on October 16.

    The ban has initiated a fierce debate on different levels of the populace. The Government, however, has maintained that Kazakhstan is a secular country. The opposing group consider the ban a violation of the freedom of expression and conscience.

    Consequently, many students have dropped out of the school. Education Minister Gani Beisembayev confirmed that a total of 150 girls dropped out of school in the Atyarau region, whereas in Turkestan, two men reportedly beat a school director for not allowing the girls wearing hijab to attend lectures.

    As a sign of protest, many are posting videos of burning down their books or pictures of them wearing a hijab stating that they will not trade anything for their right to wearing the head covering.
    A member of Almaty Social Council in Qojaly believes that “First of all, you have to know that the hijab is actually a headscarf with which girls in Kazakhstan were covered from puberty, that is, from the age of 13.There is no religious connotation here. Second, the law enshrines the right to education, and the ban that has been enacted is an artificial barrier to exercising that right. Why do headscarves suddenly prevent Muslim girls from joining secular life? No one is banning the wearing of Christian crosses or tubeteika caps. In fact, we are talking about a certain form of segregation.”

    The Grand Mufti of Kazakhstan, Nauryzbay Kazhy Taganuly, has proposed that the girls who want to wear hijab should join Madrassas or any Muslim Educational institution from grade 10 onwards. So far nobody has objected to this.

    Amidst all this, President Kassym-Jomart has expressed his determination to ensure “freedom of religion” as per the law of his secular state.

  • ‘Last year took away my life’, Arshad Sharif remembered on first death anniversary 

    ‘Last year took away my life’, Arshad Sharif remembered on first death anniversary 

    It’s been a year since the demise of senior journalist Arshad Sharif who was killed in Kenya. The culprits, however, are still at large and the family awaits justice.

    The investigation so far has been futile. According to a Kenyan investigative journalist Nyaboga Kiage, five policemen involved in the case were initially suspended and have now resumed their duties without facing any liability. Two of them have been promoted. 

    Sharif’s death made headlines across the globe. On his first death anniversary, his family and colleagues are remembering him and pressing hard for justice. Journalism organisations are holding prayer ceremonies in his honour, where well-wishers are paying their respects and reflecting on the impact he had on the field.

    Sharif’s wife Javeria Siddique remembers the last twelve months as “last year took away my life”. She stated the struggles she is going through to get justice.

    Sharif’s former boss Salman Iqbal recalled his last conversation with the late journalist, saying, “bhai we are here to make this world a better place and we shall do what we were created for.”

    Fellow journalist Murtaza Ali Shah tweeted, “One year after assassination in Kenya, no justice for Arshad Sharif. Cops involved in firing bullets at him are back to their work.”

    Journalist Jameel Farouqi remembered him as a “big brother” and appreciated Sharif for his “sense of humour”

    His friend Tahir Malik misses him for ‘all the colours in life are lost after him.’

    Arshad’s colleague Kashif Abbasi still “can’t believe” he has lost his friend. It’s beyond ‘heart-breaking” for him. 

    Caretaker PM Kakar, in his meeting with Kenyan President Dr. William Ruto, when Kakar was in China last week, also asked for the process of investigation to be expedited.

    Sharif’s wife has already registered a case against the Kenyan Police in a Nairobi court.

  • Supreme Court declares trial of civilians in military courts null and void

    Supreme Court declares trial of civilians in military courts null and void

    The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday has declared trials of civilians in military courts null and void.

    A five-member bench of the Supreme Court has announced its decision on applications challenging the military trial of civilians involved in the May 9 riots.

    In the short verdict, the court ordered that 102 individuals detained under the Army Act should face trial in civilian courts. It additionally dictated that any trial of a civilian in a military court is considered invalid.

    The apex court’s bench — headed by Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, and comprising of Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha Malik — heard petitions filed by PTI chief Imran Khan and others on Monday.

    The Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP), Mansoor Usman Awan, completed his arguments and he had focused on jurisdiction of military courts to try civilians under the Army Act.

    The day before, the federal government had notified the top court that military trials of civilians had already begun.