Tag: trending

  • Riz Ahmed’s ‘Nimona’ hailed by critics as a unique queer fantasy

    Riz Ahmed’s ‘Nimona’ hailed by critics as a unique queer fantasy

    On Friday, Netflix dropped the highly anticipated animated fantasy film ‘Nimona’ which stars Pakistani-British actor Riz Ahmed, Chloe Grace Montez, Eugene Lee Yang as the main leads, and is adapted from the comics of the same name by ‘She-Ra’ creator ND Stevenson.

    Since its release, critics have hailed the film as a gorgeous queer fantasy that calls for acceptance and equality for the LGBTQ+ community, but mostly critics have hailed Ahmed’s and Mortez’s performances, as Entertainment Weekly praised it for the casual queer representation as the main lead Nimona is a gender non-conforming being, and the romantic relationship between two male knights.

    Speaking on the queer representation, Ahmed had said:

    “I understand this is a big win and a big moment representation-wise, and we’re all so proud of that. But I think those moments only feel like real wins when they’re not tokenized, when they are actually there because of the emotional truth of the character. When we are honoring these characters as human, that’s when it feels real, you know?”  

    Writing on the powerful vocal performance by Mortez as Nimona, Polygon hailed her for creating the duality between the rebellious side of the vibrant shape shifter, but also exploring her vulnerable side as an outcast who doesn’t feel like she can belong anywhere.

    Coming on the themes of queer representation, Mashable praised Nimona for being speaking on empowering the queer community:

    “Along with its unique animation and rollicking action sequences, Nimona digs into themes of individuality, identity, and acceptance that aim to speak directly and warmly to the queer community. At a time when LGBTQ rights and spaces continue to come under attack from bigoted legislation(opens in a new tab), Nimona cements itself not just as a great fantasy film, but as an important one as well.”

    Calling it a film that takes aim at the post 9/11 surveillance state, IGN praised Nimona for being “a tender and bold tale about challenging institutions, being a good ally, and the need to live as your true self.”

    Nimona takes place in a science fantasy world where Ballister Boldheart (played by Riz) is the first commoner to be enlisted in the presitigous Institute of Elite Knights, when an accident takes place during the knighting ceremony after which he is forced to flee for his life. Partnered with the rebellious Nimona (voiced by Chloe Grace Montez) a shape-shifter who has a desire to do something evil, they team up to clear his name and investigate the perpetuators behind the accident.

  • Terrorist attacks increased by 79% in Pakistan in first six months of 2023: report

    Terrorist attacks increased by 79% in Pakistan in first six months of 2023: report

    According to a recent report from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), terrorist activities in the country have risen by 79 per cent in the first half of 2023.

    The report highlights that during this period, there were approximately 271 militant attacks in the country, leading to the loss of 389 lives and injuring 656 individuals.

    In the first six months of last year, there were 151 attacks resulting in 293 fatalities and 487 injuries.

    The statistics indicate a significant rise of 79% in militant attacks during the initial half of this year as compared to the same period of the previous year.

    During the first half of this year, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced the highest impact, with a total of 174 recorded militant attacks. These attacks led to the loss of 266 lives and left 463 people injured.

    Out of the reported incidents, 100 attacks occurred in mainland KP, resulting in 188 fatalities and 354 injuries. Additionally, 74 attacks took place in the tribal districts (formerly known as FATA), causing 78 deaths and 109 injuries.

  • Babar, Khusshaal: Celebrities who went viral with hilarious memes

    Babar, Khusshaal: Celebrities who went viral with hilarious memes

    We know our celebrities are incredibly talented, but you have to be talented at a whole other level to be able to go viral because someone has made memes out of your performance. And hum Pakistanis ki tou baat hee kya hai, we’re miserable because of, well, everything, but our meme game is undefeatable.

    From Babar Azam’s shock to Hira Mani, here are some hilarious moments that changed pop culture and the phrases you have been hearing to death.

    1 Hira Mani went viral when she said “Mard ko bhi tou samjho” in her interview with Samina Peerzada and launched a string of memes.

    2 We salute Khushhal Khan for his services to the meme game. Really sir, no one does it like you.

    3 Never change Babar Azam, please never change.

    https://twitter.com/inabaabelfaroqi/status/1612466551571070976?s=20

    4 Aye Musht-e-Khaak ended eons ago but this meme of Feroze Khan remains frozen on the internet.

  • Khaqan Abbasi thinks it’s ‘ethically wrong’ for PM to engage Farogh Nasim

    Khaqan Abbasi thinks it’s ‘ethically wrong’ for PM to engage Farogh Nasim

    Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said in a TV show that he is not aware of the appointment of former law minister Barrister Farogh Naseem as a lawyer for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

    He further said on Sawal Yeh Hai that he doesn’t know who makes the appointment, but firmly declared that it is ethically wrong to engage a person as a lawyer if he has been accused by the same government.

    Farogh Naseem, a law minister in the previous government, will represent Shehbaz Sharif in a case pertaining to civilian trials in military courts.
    The Premier has chosen Naseem to be his attorney in the matter. Following the arrest of their party chairman, angry protestors from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vandalised army installations, prompting the government to decide to try civilians under army laws.

    Special Assistant to PM Shehbaz, Malik Ahmad Khan, also said that he has disagreement with the political position of Farogh Naseem.

  • Creative and intriguing, here are four reasons why you should go watch ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’

    Creative and intriguing, here are four reasons why you should go watch ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’

    ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’ has been hailed by critics and filmmakers as a progressive step, citing its three unique stories with stellar performances by actors like Wahaj Ali and Mehwish Hayat.

    The anthology film comprising of three stories directed by Nadeem Baig, Marina Khan and Nabeel Qureshi, is at heart an ode to celebrating creativity and the complexity of human nature, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you hooked till the credits roll.

    Here are four reasons why this film should definitely be on your watch list:

    1 Marina Khan knocks it out of the park with a wholesome rom com ‘Pasoori’

    We all remember Marina Khan from beloved classics like ‘Tanhaiyaan’ and ‘Dhoop Kinare’ but her powerful direction in helming this feminist comedy to life is something the Pakistani cinema truly needs, more women led movies that do not center around men. Pasoori revolves around the upcoming wedding of Salman (played by Shehryar Munawar) and Romaisa (Ramsha Khan), who receives an opportunity on her nikkah to perform at a talent show. With its hilarious side characters and Munawar’s ability to incite laughter and tears with his emotions, this was a well directed story.

    2. The hilarious comedy of ‘Jin Mahal’

    Jin Mahal, penned by Ali Abbas and Basit Naqvi and directed by Nabeel Qureshi, starts of with a tragedy as a couple is forced to live in an abandoned train after being forcefully evicted from their home. It still churns out golden moments thanks to stellar performances by Hira and Mani, as their characters Shehenshah and Mumtaz fight to keep their home by tricking others to believe a jinn resides there.

    3. Khalil ul Rehman’s engrossing ‘Aik Sau Taeeswan’

    A gripping tale about possessiveness, betrayal and the complex thing that is love, with gorgeous visuals and a powerful performance by the icon that is Mehwish Hayat, the third and final film is a masterstroke in why we need more films like ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’. With a span of only 35 minutes, the tale dives into the glory of love, and its dark side as two married people sitting in a train confide their marriage woes to each other.

    4. The sizzling chemistry between Mehwish Hayat and Wahaj Ali

    When we spoke to Nadeem Baig, who directed ‘Aik Sau Taeeswan’, about why he picked Mehwish and Wahaj to star in his short film, he revealed that although the two had not shared the screen before, it was interesting to see how their chemistry would work out. In this film, their electrifying chemistry keeps the audience gripped. Hayat keeps the audience in control with her commanding performance as a married woman who is aware of her failing marriage, but refuses to let herself succumb to it. Equally compelling, Wahaj Ali keeps viewers engaged as the screen shifts from their playful flirting dynamics, to guilt and complete shock as the tables turn.

  • Woman allegedly raped after false promises of marriage

    Woman allegedly raped after false promises of marriage

    A woman was allegedly raped in Islamabad after being tricked by false promises of marriage.

    According to Geo News, the incident was reported in the capital city on Monday. Police said that the suspect lured the victim by making fake promises of marriage. He then raped her as she traveled from Lahore to Islamabad.

    He also stole the victim’s valuables including her mobile phone, cash and a suit case loaded with clothes.

    The victim stated that when she moved back to Lahore the suspect tricked her again with false promises and raped her after inviting her to the capital city.

    A case has been registered by the police against the suspect and an investigation is underway.

  • Will bring down inflation if elected: Nawaz Sharif

    Will bring down inflation if elected: Nawaz Sharif

    Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday said that he will bring down inflation in the country if voted to power in the next general elections, Radio Pakistan has reported.

    Sharif made the statement while meeting with PML-N Gulf leaders in Dubai.

    During the meeting, Nawaz Sharif commended the local leadership who expressed their hope for Sharif to win upcoming elections and come to power.

    He further stated that the PML-N leadership has consistently steered the country through challenging times and is determined to address the ongoing economic crisis once again.

  • EU, UNAOC and OIC condemn act of burning Quran

    The European Union (EU), The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the UN Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC) has condemned the heinous act of burning the Holy Quran in Sweden on on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

    In a statement, the EU has condemned the act, terming it offensive.

    “It is even more deplorable that such act was carried out on the important Muslim celebration of Eid al Azha,” the statement said.

    The OIC in a statement said that such an act contradicted “international efforts to spread the values of tolerance, moderation, and renunciation of extremism.”

    Miguel Moratinos, UNAOC, official said that “such a ‘vile act’ is disrespectful to Muslims.”

    Salwan Momika, an Iraqi living in Sweden, set fire to a copy of the Quran in front of Stockholm’s central mosque

  • ‘Your mom still cleans your mess’: Twitter roasts Elon after mom cancels fight with Zuckerberg

    ‘Your mom still cleans your mess’: Twitter roasts Elon after mom cancels fight with Zuckerberg

    Social media came to a standstill a few days ago when Twitter CEO Elon Musk announced that he would like to have a cage fight with the CEO of Facebook and Instagram, Mark Zuckerberg.
    The prospect of the fight of the billionaires caused a frenzy on social media with placing bets on which tech CEO would come out succesful.

    Time to forget about your bets though because ammi nay mana kardiya hai.

    Elon Musk’s mother Maye Musk shut down rumors of the cage fight on her Twitter account, tweeting that instead of a physical fight, both Zuckerberg and her son should ask each other three questions instead.

    How hilarious that a 52-year-old man needs his mother to counsel him on his wildest decisions. We also hope that she can encourage him to stop destroying an important app, maybe?

    https://twitter.com/EvilNukem/status/1673759228111237120?s=20

    “Elon Musk mother is searching Mark’s Mother number.. both mother together could convince their stubborn kids.. Later, Hope mothers don’t end up having a fight,” one user wrote.

  • South Asian men becoming more violent with climate change, scientists claim

    South Asian men becoming more violent with climate change, scientists claim

    According to a study published by JAMA Psychiatry on Wednesday, the rising temperatures in South Asia caused by climate change has led to a rise in domestic violence inflicted upon women and girls.

    Researchers completed the study by gathering data of physical, emotional and sexual abuse from 194,871 girls and women between the ages of 15 to 49 from countries like India, Pakistan and Nepal between the years 2010 and 2018.

    Their results have shown that with every one degree rise in temperature, there was an eight per cent hike in physical violence, a 7.3 per cent rise in sexual violence, and a 4.9% increase in domestic violence.

    The study has warned that domestic violence is likely to rise by 21 per cent by the end of the century because of the “unlimited emissions scenario”, with India likely to see a 23.5 per cent increase, 14.8 per cent in Nepal and 5.9 per cent in Pakistan.

    A report by Amnesty International has called for global leaders to take action against rising heatwaves in Pakistan, stating that the country was on the “frontlines of the climate crisis” despite producing less than one per cent of planet-warming gases.

    “Despite their small contribution to climate change, its people face disproportionately severe consequences which are often life threatening. Tackling a climate crisis of this scale requires global attention and action. Wealthier countries must make no mistake about the important role they play,” said Dinushika Dissanayake, Amnesty’s deputy regional director in South Asia.

    The report revealed that after speaking to 45 people in the summers of 2021 and 2022 from Lahore and Jacobabad, where temperatures had reached 52C, the human rights organisation revealed that people complained about heatstroke, shortness of breathe and dizziness, with some needing hospital care.

    People who were interviewed for the study belonged to professions at a higher risk of exposure to heat, such as working in agriculture, brick kilns, factories or delivery men.

    The organisation also shared that 40 million Pakistanis suffer from constant power outrages, while others receive erratic power supplies due to lengthy outrages.

    “People living in poverty do not have access to, or are unable to afford, electricity for fans or air conditioning units and neither can they afford to buy solar panels,” the report said.