Tag: trending

  • Pakistani ‘Superhero’ Ms Marvel receives three Emmy nominations

    Pakistani ‘Superhero’ Ms Marvel receives three Emmy nominations

    Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s ‘Ms Marvel’ has bagged three nominations at the Emmy awards, becoming the only Marvel series to be nominated.

    The series was nominated for Outstanding Picture Editing For A Limited Series, Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music, and Outstanding Music Composition For A Limited Series (Original Dramatic Score).

    The series will be competing next to some other popular series such as Guillermo Del Toro’s ‘Cabinet Of Curiosities’, ‘The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power’, and Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’.

    Ms Marvel made international waves last year as the first Pakistani superhero led Marvel series. It centers around Kamala Khan, a Pakistani-American Muslim girl, who on discovering a powerful bangle, realises that she is a superhero. Pakistani actors Fawad Khan, Mehwish Hayat, Nimra Bucha and Samina Ahmed also starred in the show.

    Another Pakistani documentary “The Accused: Damned Or Devoted” written and directed by Muhammad Ali Naqvi has made waves by being nominated at the prestigious awards. The documentary explores the rise of the late chief of the political party Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who was determined to protect Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws.

    HBO had scored the most Emmy nominations, with Succession scoring 27 nominations including Outstanding Drama Series, for which the studio’s other critically acclaimed series like ‘The Last Of Us’, ‘The White Lotus’ and ‘House Of The Dragon’ are also competing.

  • Ulema are not allowing Zakat funds to be spent on the education of the needy: Shehbaz

    Ulema are not allowing Zakat funds to be spent on the education of the needy: Shehbaz

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed a ceremony at the National University of Technology, Islamabad, and said that the government faces hurdles in using Zakat funds to spend on the education of the needy as the Ulema had issues with using these funds for educational purposes.

    Shehbaz Sharif also said that if the Zakat funds can’t be used for the education of the needy students, then what is the logic in spending this money on other necessities for the students.

    The prime minister also said that if we want to progress, we should not create issues over very small things.

    Addressing the ceremony, Shehbaz Sharif also mentioned that the promotion of skilled and technical education should be a priority.

    He further stated that technical education is the key to the success of any country.

  • Court declares Imran-Bushra marriage case admissible

    Court declares Imran-Bushra marriage case admissible

    Additional District and Session Judge (ADSJ), Islamabad, Muhammad Azam Khan, has on Thursday declared a case pertaining to the alleged illegal marriage of Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan with Bushra Bibi during iddat admissible.

    The judge has remanded back the case by dismissing the civil court’s verdict. Earlier, the civil court had declared the case of illegal marriage of the former Prime Minister inadmissible.

    The petitioner, Muhammad Hanif, claimed that Bushra Bibi got divorced in November 2017 and married Imran Khan on January 1, 2018, which means that her Iddat period had not ended, “which is against the Sharia and Muslim norms.”

    Muhammad Hanif also submitted the statements of Mufti Muhammad Saeed, who conducted the marriage between Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, and Auwn Chaudary, a former close friend of Imran Khan. Auwn Chaudhary was also one of the witnesses at the wedding.

    The petitioner said that Bushra Bibi moved to Islamabad soon after their nikah, which is the reason for filing a case in Islamabad.

    After the completion of arguments, the ADSJ declared the case admissible and returned it to civil court for hearing.

  • ‘College Gate’ hits TV screens with mixed reviews

    ‘College Gate’ hits TV screens with mixed reviews

    Green Entertainment rolled out a list of its anticipated dramas this week, including College Gate, an exploration of the lives of six students as they tackle bullying, financial independence, career dreams and pressure to step into adulthood. The cast includes a list of newcomers like Mamia Shajaffer, Khaqan Shahnawaz and Zarrar Khan.

    The first two episodes, where we see the students stepping into a new phase of their lives, debuted this week. We see the main leads struggling to follow dreams to become a singer, dealing with bullying or drug abuse.

    Social media users have mixed reviews about the episodes, with some applauding the show for focusing on the lives of teenagers and taking a break from saas-bahu dramas, while others felt that the casting choices could have been different.

    Some users found the episodes to be engaging for tackling issues only teenagers were dealing with.

    Many felt that the script was similar to the web series ‘Midsummer Chaos’ or Netflix shows like Elite.

    Others pointed out that the actors playing the characters could not pass off as teenagers, stressing that a more age appropriate cast should have been selected rather than actors in their 30s.

  • Critics slam world’s largest cruise ship as a “monstrosity” comparable to Titanic

    Critics slam world’s largest cruise ship as a “monstrosity” comparable to Titanic

    The Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, operated by Royal Caribbean International, has faced heavy criticism from skeptics who liken its upcoming maiden voyage to the ill-fated Titanic, according to The New York Post.

    Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, Michael Bayley, views the ship as a revolutionary advancement in sea travel, positioning it as the ultimate family vacation.

    Set to embark on its first journey in January of next year, the ship has an astounding internal volume of 250,800 gigatonnes (GT), dwarfing the Titanic’s 46,328 GT.

    The vessel boasts an array of features, including seven pools, nine whirlpools, and a record-breaking water park with six slides aptly named “Category 6.” It spans 19 floors, equivalent to the height of a New York City building, accommodating approximately 5,610 passengers and 2,350 crew members.

    While the ship has completed its initial tests, critics argue that its grand scale does not guarantee an improved experience.

    Online commentators have expressed their dismay, labeling the Icon of the Seas a nightmare and comparing it to visions of hell. Despite skepticism, the ship has generated significant attention, with the cheapest ticket for a seven-night cruise priced at $1,851 and the most expensive at $10,864.

    As the vessel’s maiden voyage approaches, opinions remain divided, with some fascinated by the ship’s remarkable features while others view it with intense dread. The ship’s size and ambitious design have ignited a spirited debate about the future of cruising and whether bigger truly means better in the eyes of travelers.

  • TW: mentally challenged girl gang-raped by six men in Kasur

    TW: mentally challenged girl gang-raped by six men in Kasur

    On Wednesday, the police in Kasur arrested six men for the brutal gang rape of a mentally challenged teenaged girl found unconscious by her mother in the basement of a private restaurant.

    In the case filed at the Kot Radha Kishan police station, the mother revealed that her daughter had gone out of the house, however, she was later found unconscious, and was rushed to Tehsil Headquarters hospital. After the girl was denied medical treatment, she was taken to Jinnah Hospital, where again she was denied healthcare. Then, the survivor was taken to Services Hospital, where after a medical examination, it was determined that she had been gang raped.

    After the mother questioned locals, it was revealed that two men Sahil and Khalil along with three to four other unidentified men, had taken the girl with them to the basement of a private restaurant where they had gang-raped her.

    After the case was filed, the DPO took speedy action to file a case against main accused Sahil, and arrested him.

    On Wednesday, the police arrested six men for the brutal gang rape of a mentally challenged teenage girl in the basement of a private restaurant and was found unconscious by her mother, according to Express Tribune.

    In the case filed at the Kot Radha Kishan polcie station, the mother revealed that her daughter had gone out and was later found unconscious, and was immediately taken to THQ hospital, where after she was denied medical treatment, was taken to Jinnah Hospital, where again she was denied medical treatment. Then, the survivor was taken to Services Hospital, where after a medical examination it was that she had been gang raped.

    After the mother had questioned the locals, it was revealed that the men Sahil, Khalil and three to four other unidentified men had taken the girl with them to the basement of a private hospital where they had gang-raped her.

    After the case was filed, the DPO took speedy action the main accused Sahil.

  • Federal govt contemplating strict law to counter social media ‘propaganda’

    Federal govt contemplating strict law to counter social media ‘propaganda’

    The outgoing federal government is contemplating strict laws to counter social media disinformation and propaganda, geo.tv had reported.

    The government is mulling amending the 2016 Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) so that “fake news targeting the reputation and image of a particular person or group of people, organisation, or other entity will be checked by all available means,” a source told Saleh Zafar.

    The authority of Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will be increased to keep a check on social media, while an ‘e-safety’ law will be introduced to protect official portals.

    The report also claims that a new section will be added to PECA to ensure “stringent” action against culprits. Officials say that FIA is powerless even in instances of fake news.

  • All projects put on hold as Hollywood actors go on strike

    All projects put on hold as Hollywood actors go on strike

    In an unprecedent move, 160,000 Hollywood actors represented by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) joined writers in strike against Hollywood after negotiations between the union and major studio networks failed.

    Much of Hollywood had shut down in May after writers went on strike, protesting against low pay as studios shifted to streaming, and the incorporation of A.I into writing scripts.

    The demands made by the actors union include fairer working conditions, and protection of actors against digital replicas like A.I and computer generated faces and voices will not be used to replace actors. Another demand was that actors should receive better pay base and residuals- which are payments made to actors in television and films they have starred in.

    During the negotiations, network studios had offered what they called a ‘ground-breaking proposal’ that actors would be asked for consent when their digital replicas would be used in films, while background actors would be scanned and give one day’s pay for their digital image to be used on screen without their consent, which SAG said was unnacceptable:

    “They propose that our background performers should be able to be scanned, get paid for one day’s pay, and their company should own that scan of their image, their likeness, and should be able to use it for the rest of eternity,” the SAG chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said. “If you think that’s a ground-breaking proposal, I suggest you think again.”

    The cast of Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ walked off the red carpet at the London premiere on Thursday, including A-list actors like Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh, Emily Blunt and Matt Damon, when the strikes were announced in the US.

    Addressing the strike during a red carpet interview, Damon defended fellow actors who were protesting for studios to provide better pay, sharing that royalty payments are a way for working actors to survive:

    “We got to protect the people who are kind of on the margins. 26,000 bucks a year is what you have to make to get your health insurance. And there are a lot of people (for) who residual payments carry them across that threshold. If those residual payments dry up, so does their healthcare, and that’s absolutely unacceptable.”

    Announcing the SAG-AFTRA strike, President of the union Fran Drescher, called this a sad decision, which will greatly impact both writers and actors.

    “We are the victims here. We are being victimized by a very greedy entity. You are systematically trying to figure out ways to carve us out of what is due us. Shame on you!”

  • Our government will end on August 14 2023: Shehbaz Sharif

    Our government will end on August 14 2023: Shehbaz Sharif

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday, while addressing a ceremony in Islamabad, that the government will end on August 14 and a caretaker government will take charge.

    Shehbaz Sharif became prime minister last year in April after a vote of no-confidence in the National Assembly against former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

     “I assure you that our government will end on August 14, and whenever elections happen, the ECP will announce it, and I hope that whichever government comes, it prioritises education,” Shehbaz said while addressing an event in Islamabad.

    Shehbaz Sharif had already mentioned his plans on Thursday while addressing the nation but he also said that the country will be the responsibility of the caretaker government after the end of his tenure in August 2023.
    Earlier, a parliamentary committee sped up work on election reforms by examining 73 rectification proposals presented before it.

  • Practise and Procedure, civilian trials in military courts cases fixed for hearing

    Practise and Procedure, civilian trials in military courts cases fixed for hearing

    The Supreme Court has fixed hearings for the Practise and Procedure bill case as well as the civilian trial cases in military courts.

    The Supreme Court will hear the Practise and Procedure bill case on July 21. There is an injunction on the implementation of the law by the court until an announcement is made.

    An eight-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial will hear the case.

    Moreover, a petition against the trials of civilians in military courts has also been fixed for hearing on July 18.

    During the last hearing of the case pertaining to military courts, the CJP stressed the importance of maintaining high morale in the Army. He also said that any decline in morale could only benefit the enemy.