Tag: trending

  • 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.”

  • Shifting tides: More prominent Hollywood celebrities are condemning the violence in Palestine

    Shifting tides: More prominent Hollywood celebrities are condemning the violence in Palestine

    After the horrific Al-Ahli Baptist hospital bombardment in Gaza, prominent celebrities as well as Jewish activists in the US have taken to social media and the streets to condemn the ongoing genocide of Palestinians, calling for a ceasefire. On Wednesday, 500 Jewish activists were arrested after they stormed the Congressional building, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

    READ MORE: 500 Jewish protesters arrested after demanding ceasefire inside Capitol Hill

    Hollywood celebrities are joining in on the voices to condemn the bombing of Gaza. Yara Shahidi released a statement on her Instagram account, demanding an end to the atrocities and a ceasefire.

    ‘We must also have the capacity to hold on to the urgent need for support and allyship for the Palestinian peoples who have been pushed into yet-another forced relocation, killed in designated places of refuge, and denied access to humanitarian aid- no access to water, electricity or food- violating explicit international humanitarian laws.”

    ‘Sex And The City’ actor and politician Cynthia Nixon condemned the violence in Palestine, urging her colleagues to join Cori Bush’s call for a ceasefire.

    Celebrity couple Chrissy Teigen and John Legend shared a joint statement on their Instagram account, revealing that they were working with organisations like World Central Kitchen and Doctor’s Without Borders to ensure children and families in both Palestine and Israel have access to humanitarian relief.

    In the last paragraph, the couple called upon world leaders to “do everything in their power to protect the human rights of children impacted by the ongoing conflict.”

    Doctors Without Borders has explicitly shown footage on their Instagram account of the massacre at Al-Ahli hospital after the Israeli attack, writing that, “Nothing justifies a shocking attack on a hospital and its many patients and health workers, as well as the people who sought shelter there.”

    World Central Kitchen has shared videos of food donations they have provided to struggling families affected by the war in Gaza and in Israel.

  • Korean actor Park Seo-Joon set to star in ‘The Marvels’ film

    Korean actor Park Seo-Joon set to star in ‘The Marvels’ film

    South Korean actor Park Seo-Joon is all set for his Hollywood debut with the superhero film ‘The Marvels’. The ‘What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim’ actor will reprise the role of Prince Han, the poster released on Marvel’s official X (formerly Twitter) account shows.

    The film also stars ‘Ms Marvel’ star Iman Vellani, Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson. It is all set for release on November 10. The official trailer was released on July 21.

    Park Seo-Joon has appeared in hit Korean dramas like ‘Fight For My Way’ and ‘Iteawon Class’.

  • ‘Election and democracy halted for one person’s return’: Bilawal takes swipe at Nawaz

    ‘Election and democracy halted for one person’s return’: Bilawal takes swipe at Nawaz

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari made thinly veiled references to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif while addressing a public gathering held in connection with the 16th anniversary of the Karsaz tragedy, outside Bilawal House in Karachi.

    He said on Wednesday that the country’s constitution, election, and democracy were halted for “one person’s return.”

    Despite being partners in the last government and demanding the former three-time prime minister’s return, the PPP has kept raising concerns that Nawaz might get “special relief”.

    Nawaz will return to Pakistan on Saturday (October 21) and has been granted protective bail till October 24 in Avenfield and Al-Azizia case. Arrest warrants in Toshakhana case have also been suspended till October 24.

    “Our previous allies will have to acknowledge that delaying elections will not ‘give respect to vote’, rather disrespect it,” Bilawal said during a public rally in Karachi, hitting out at the PML-N, whose slogan has been “vote ko izzt do (give respect to the sanctity of vote)”.

    The PPP chairman also said that he wants to end the politics of divide and abuse, adding that if politicos keep fighting amongst themselves, the country will not progress.

    “We can swallow the ‘bitter pill’ [of holding elections] in more than 90 days only when the election commission announces a date for the polls,” he said.

    He called for holding elections, saying only people had the right to choose their leaders and make decisions for their future.

    “We have to leave politics of abuses and divide behind. We need new leadership… a leadership that is not stuck in the past but thinks about the future. We don’t want 90s’ Pakistan or 2017’s Pakistan. We want today’s Pakistan… Pakistan of 2023… a modern Pakistan,” he added.

    “The tenure of [coalition] government of the last 16 months taught us that Pakistan cannot be run from London,” he said.

    In view of the skyrocketing inflation and depleting economic reserves, the PPP leader demanded that relief should be given to the common man instead of the elite.

  • Nawaz Sharif gets green signals from courts; three bails granted

    Nawaz Sharif gets green signals from courts; three bails granted

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) approved the request of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif on Thursday, providing him with bail in the Avenfield and Al-Azizia cases until October 24.

    In July 2018, Nawaz Sharif, who had been removed from office, received a 10-year prison sentence in the Avenfield properties corruption case, for assets that exceeded his known income, and an additional one-year sentence for failing to cooperate with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

    In the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case, he was handed a seven-year prison term and subsequently taken to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

    On the other hand, an accountability court has deferred the arrest warrant of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in the Toshakhana case, as the NAB raised no objections.

    The court announced the decision after reserving a verdict on Nawaz’s petition seeking postponement.

    A day earlier, the former prime minister filed a petition in an accountability court to restrict authorities from arresting him on his return to the country on October 21.

    During today’s hearing, Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer, Qazi Misbah, requested the court to suspend the arrest warrant as he is coming back to Pakistan and wants to appear before the court himself.

    The legal team of PML-N supremo has also filed a bail petition in Islamabad High Court (IHC) to prevent officials from arresting him on October 21.
    During the hearing, Qazi Misbah argued that Nawaz Sharif wanted to appear before the court on October 24, telling the judge that his client was not well, which is why he didn’t appear before the court.

  • Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid are receiving death threats, phone numbers doxed after Palestine support

    Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid are receiving death threats, phone numbers doxed after Palestine support

    American-Palestinian supermodels Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid are receiving death threats after their vocal support for the liberation of Palestine. The siblings are known for expressing their anger towards Israel’s apartheid policies in Palestine. Bella also declared that she was not afraid of losing jobs act the cost of activism.

    According to TMZ, phone numbers of members of the Hadid family, including their father Mohammad Hadid, who was a survivor of the 1948 Nakba, brother Anwar, and mother Yolanda, were leaked. Spammers then sent them graphic descriptions of how they would murder them. Sources told the publication the family received threats through emails, social media as well as on phone calls, and the patriarch Mohammad is considering taking this up with the FBI.

    READ MORE: There is a painful history behind why supermodels Gigi, Bella Hadid support the Palestinian cause

    A few days ago, Gigi Hadid was directly targeted by an official Instagram account associated with Israel. The account criticised her on her Instagram post calling out the difference between anti-zionism and anti-semitism. Gigi had earlier shared a neutral stance expressing her sorrow over the Israeli lives lost, as well as Palestinians, praying for peace to prevail.

    In a series of posts, the Israeli account criticised her for ignoring the fake news about 40 beheaded Israeli babies, which has since then been debunked by several publications.

    READ MORE: Israel official account attacks Gigi Hadid on Insta, gets crushed on Twitter

  • 16-year-old househelp raped and poisoned to death in Karachi

    16-year-old househelp raped and poisoned to death in Karachi

    Sonia, a 16-year-old working as a housemaid in a bungalow located in Gulshan-e-Iqbal 13-C in Karachi, was allegedly raped and poisoned to death by her employer’s sons.

    Sonia’s mother has said in a statement given to the police that the teenager had gone to work on Sunday as usual. On her return she was in a critical condition, therefore taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical College for an examination. However the girl died during treatment.

    Police has started its investigation but the mother of the victim has accused the sons of the employer-who was not at home at the time Sonia went there-of rape and poisoning.

  • University of London suspends students over Gaza rally

    School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London, an institute famous for its progressive outlook on politics, has started suspending its students following a rally in solidarity with Gaza.

    In a statement, the Palestine Society of SOAS on Twitter (now X) said that the suspension was “a clear act of political repression”. A rally in solidarity with the people of Gaza was held by the society on October 9. Hundreds of students joined the demonstration. Consequently, “The students were suspended and given warnings through disciplinarians by the university.”

    While the society condemned the suspension, it also demanded “the students to be allowed to continue their studies and attend lectures.”

    A link has been posted by the Society to an online petition in which it asked the university to drop all the disciplinary proceedings against the students involved in the protest, revoke all the formal warnings against the Palestine Society Committee, and reestablish the right to protest. It also calls on the Student Union to advocate on behalf of all the suspended students and pressure the university administration to comply with the demands.

    A letter was sent by the UK Education Secretary to the Chancellors of the university demanding that they act “swiftly and decisively” against any threats to Jewish students’ safety in the aftermath of the blockade of Gaza. They deemed that the pro-Palestinian students were actually supporting Hamas which for them is a proscribed terrorist organization.

    Fatima Bhutto voiced her protest on X, siding with the Society and expressing her disappointment with her alma mater.

    Hardcore reactions from some other alumni of the university included Dr. Ruby, who called the step “draconian, unjustified, and most likely illegal”.

    Abeera, one of the faculty members of SOAS called it “Absolutely shameful”.

    A number of netizens criticised SOAS for its hypocrisy. One pointed out that the aim of a “fairer society” as expressed by the institute was totally contradictory to their actions.

  • PM Kakar, President Putin decide to increase collaboration in various fields.

    PM Kakar, President Putin decide to increase collaboration in various fields.

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the sidelines of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing. They talked about a variety of topics, including trade, investment, and energy cooperation.

    During their conversation on Tuesday, the two leaders conveyed their contentment with the consistent growth of relations between Pakistan and Russia while emphasising the necessity of increased collaboration in various fields.

    President Putin received PM Kakar before they held a meeting that encompassed bilateral, regional, and international affairs.

    They also talked about the potential for improving Eurasian connectivity along with Pakistan’s crucial role in regional integration through rail, road, and energy corridors.

    The prime minister highlighted the significance of increased regional cooperation to foster economic growth in the region and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthen and enhance its bilateral relations with Russia in areas such as energy, connectivity, trade, investment, and the fight against terrorism.

    The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the evolving situation in the Middle East.