Tag: US

  • Elon Musk is no longer joining Twitter board as the microblogging network is “dying”

    Elon Musk is no longer joining Twitter board as the microblogging network is “dying”

    The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk will not be joining the Twitter board of directors, according to Twitter’s CEO Parag Agrawal. Musk’s appointment on the board was supposed to start on April 9, however, he announced that he would no longer be joining.

    Agrawal posted a statement on April 10, saying Musk’s appointment to the board would be subject to a background investigation and that once nominated, he would have to operate in the company’s best interests. “Elon is our biggest shareholder and we will remain open to his input,” he added.

    What Happened Earlier?

    Earlier, the tech mogul tweeted the list of the top ten most followed personalities, which included celebrities and politicians such as former US President Barack Obama, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and Lady Gaga.

    The world’s wealthiest man had a complaint: many of the top Twitter accounts do not upload anything.

    Former US President Barack Obama (131.4 million followers), singer Justin Bieber (114.3 million), Katy Perry (108.8 million), and other top accounts belonging to popular artists Rihanna and Taylor Swift were among the names on the list from the Twitter account of World of Statistics, which Musk posted.

    Interestingly, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ranked ninth on the list, with a popularity of 77.1 million followers, one notch below Musk, who has 81 million followers on the social network.

    Whereas Modi is an avid Twitter user who publishes everything from his daily schedule to welcoming foreign leaders, Musk laments that celebrities like Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber rarely post. Taylor hasn’t posted anything in three months, and the ‘yummy’ singer Justin Bieber only tweeted once in 2022.

    Musk, who just purchased a 9.2 per cent interest in Twitter for roughly $3 billion in his controversial style, asked his followers another question: Is Twitter dying? 

    In an ‘April fool’ message, Twitter said that it is testing some new features, one of which is a long-awaited ‘edit’ button. The platform later explained that the change to the edit button was not an April Fool’s prank and that it was truly being tested by the company.

    It is worth noting that Musk also proposed a number of improvements to Twitter’s Blue premium subscription service, including lowering the price, limiting adverts, and allowing users to pay in the crypto. Many internet users were surprised by the recent announcement, as they had been expecting Tesla’s CEO to join the board of microblogging site and witness what changes he would make.

  • 64% Pakistanis believe there is no US conspiracy to overthrow PTI government

    64 per cent Pakistanis believe that there is no US conspiracy to overthrow the PTI government, Gallup survey has revealed. The survey was conducted between April 3 and 4, according to which 64 per cent Pakistanis cited inflation as the main reason behind the fall of the PTI government.

    Those who participated in the survey said that the main reason behind the Opposition’s efforts to remove the government is inflation and lack of relief for the people.

    Only 36 per cent of the participants said that the US was behind the fall of the government.

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has named Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu as the United States (US) representative who had a meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador in the US, which led to the ‘threatening’ diplomatic cable.

    It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan is in a state of political chaos as the no-confidence motion against Khan was dismissed abruptly on Sunday. The move came after Suri termed it “unconstitutional”, saying that it was backed by “foreign powers”.

  • Man murders girlfriend over a small argument

    Man murders girlfriend over a small argument

    A man named Daniel Padilla-Ang, 27, murdered his girlfriend in a trivial argument after he broke her vape. The incident took place in the Orem city of Utah, United States(US).

    According to the details, Ang’s girlfriend slapped him after he broke her vape. He then strangled her to death.

    Ang called the police helpline 911 after committing the murder around 3 am. When the police reached his house, he said, “I just strangled my girlfriend to death. She’s dead … It was me.” He said he was ready to surrender himself.

    During interrogation, Padilla-Ang revealed that they were in a relationship for many months.

    He added, “She had come to my apartment the day before and we consumed alcohol that night.” He further said that he wanted to use his girlfriend’s vape pen, which she refused to give him. He then snatched the vape pen from her and broke it. The victim became furious and she slapped and pushed him.

    Ang then strangled his girlfriend to death. After she passed out, he started punching her.

    “He put his hands over (her) mouth and pinched her nose to see if she was still breathing. When she did not struggle, he knew she was dead,” the report says.

    Padilla-Ang drank more alcohol and informed his family via text messages that he killed his girlfriend and he would not be able to see them for a while.

    The police also revealed that he had a criminal record of domestic violence and was arrested five times in the last eight years.

  • Oscars 2022 Winners: Deaf actor Troy marks a historic win at Academy Awards

    Oscars 2022 Winners: Deaf actor Troy marks a historic win at Academy Awards

    94th Academy Awards kick started in Los Angeles, United States (US) on March 27, 2022. This time, the prestigious award ceremony also celebrated a win for a differently-abled actor however it also witnessed violence on the stage of Academy Awards 2022.

    American actor, Troy Kotsur has made history for the first time as a deaf male actor to win Academy Awards 2022 for Best Male Actor in Supporting Role in ‘CODA'(Child of Deaf Adults).

    Oscar-winning Korean actress, Youn Yuh Jung, presented the award to Troy Kotsur. He received heartfelt support from Yuh Jung who used sign language to announce his name as the winner. He got a standing ovation and applause in sign language from the audience.

    Troy Kotsur made an emotional speech and dedicate the award to his father.

    The actor said, “My dad, he was the best signer in our family, but he was in a car accident and he became paralyzed from the neck down and he no longer was able to sing. Dad, I learned so much from you. I’ll always love you. You are my hero.”

    CODA also took the award for Best Picture in Oscars 2022 which is a historic win for the deaf community.

    American actor, Will Smith also sparked a controversy when he slapped comedian Chris Rock on the stage because the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jade Pinkett Smith.

    Rock made a joke about Jade Pinkett Smith starring in “G.I. Jane 2” because of her baldness while announcing the best Documentary Feature. He was referencing the 1997 movie, G.I Jane in which Demi Moore portrayed a character with a shaved head. Pinkett Smith has a medical condition, alopecia which causes hair loss.

    British-Pakistani, Riz Ahmed also bagged the first oscar award along with director/writer Aneil Karia for the Best Live-Action Short Film, The Long Goodbye. Riz Ahmed is the co-writer and also starred in the short film.

    Here is the full list of winners of the Academy Awards 2022:

    BEST PICTURE
    CODA 

    BEST DIRECTOR
    Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog) 

    BEST ACTRESS
    Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)

    BEST ACTOR
    Will Smith (King Richard)

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
    Ariana DeBose (West Side Story)

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
    Troy Kotsur (CODA)

    BEST COSTUME DESIGN
    Cruella (Jenny Beavan)

    BEST SOUND
    Dune

    BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
    Dune

    BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
    CODA

    BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
    Belfast

    BEST ANIMATED SHORT
    The Windshield Wiper

    BEST LIVE-ACTION SHORT
    The Long Goodbye

    BEST FILM EDITING
    Dune

    BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
    The Eyes of Tammy Faye

    BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
    Encanto

    BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
    Summer of Soul

    BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
    The Queen of Basketball 

    BEST ORIGINAL SONG
    No Time to Die

    BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
    Dune

    BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE
    Drive My Car (Japan) 

    BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
    Dune

    BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
    Dune

    .

  • Pakistan approaches UN while US says missile incident is anything other than an accident

    Pakistan approaches UN while US says missile incident is anything other than an accident

    Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told the Indian parliament that the country is conducting a review of its standard operating procedures (SOPs) for operations, maintenance and inspection of weapons systems, reports Dawn.

    “We attach the highest priority to the safety and security of our weapon systems. If any shortcoming is found, it would be immediately rectified,” the Indian defence minister added.

    The statement came after an Indian “accidental” missile launch at Pakistan that fell in Mian Channu, Khanewal district on March 9. After two days, the Indian government released a statement in which they said the missile accidentally was fired due to a technical malfunction.

    An Indian media reports claim that India informed Pakistan about this “accidental firing” soon after it happened. However, Pakistan said that India failed to inform Islamabad about the accidental launch immediately, and waited until after the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced the incident about “high-speed flying object” and sought clarification from New Delhi.

    Meanwhile, Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi approached United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Qureshi briefed Guterres on the matter and stressed that this needs to be addressed by the international community, including the UN Security Council (SC). Qureshi briefed Guterres on the matter stressed that this needs to be addressed by the international community, including the UN Security Council (SC).

    US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price on Monday said there is “no indication” that India launched a missile attack on Pakistan. He said that it was “anything other than an accident”. He also advised the journalist [who asked the question] to reach out to the Indian Defence Ministry for a follow-up.

    “I’m not familiar with that particular incident. What I would say is that nuclear safety around the world, especially in countries — nuclear-armed countries, is always a conversation that is ongoing,” Price added.

  • Mehwish Hayat slams fan for trying to wrap his arm around her

    Mehwish Hayat slams fan for trying to wrap his arm around her

    Famous Pakistan actress, Mehwish Hayat has criticised a fan on Instagram who was trying to wrap his arm around her in a fan meeting arranged in Houston, Texas in the United States (US).

    The Chhalawa diva mentioned that she wasn’t aware of the incident until a fan page posted the video in which it is clearly shown that a fan was trying to wrap his arm around her, however, the CEO of HUM FM, Rehan Siddiqi pushed him away.

    She reshared the video of an incident on her official Instagram story and wrote, “Shocked at how much liberty fans sometimes think they can take with artists.”

    She also thanked and appreciated being a true gentleman to Siddiqi. Rehan also reshared the story on his Instagram and wrote, “Some people need to learn manners of meet & greet when around women. I had to do this to this uncle.”

  • ‘Jungkook cried a lot’: BTS member Jimin opens up on dramatic fight with Jungkook

    ‘Jungkook cried a lot’: BTS member Jimin opens up on dramatic fight with Jungkook

    South Korean band BTS has garnered a huge fan following across the world in the last eight years and their every new release sets a new record in the global music market. Apart from their hit songs, the band members also indulge in fun activities, clips of which can be found on several video streaming platforms.

    During a recent interview, member Jimin and Jungkook had opened up about getting into a fight, years back, only to reconcile within the next few hours in the most dramatic way possible.

    When BTS’ Jimin Revealed How He Had A Dramatic Fight With Jungkook

    A few weeks back, their managing company announced that the band will be performing at the capital of their home country, South Korea. Most reports also suggest that they are currently working on their next album which will most probably drop before the end of 2022.

    During an interaction on BTS Festa, BTS members Jimin and Jungkook had revealed how they got into a fight in one of the studios. “We had a fight in the practice studio on a rainy day. After the fight, I got so angry. I told him, ‘do whatever you want’ and left the room. I walked to our house; it was a 20-minute walk from the studio. Then I got a call from Jungkook saying, ‘Jimin, I am so sorry,’ to which I stated, ‘I said don’t call me!’”

    BTS: When Jimin-Jungkook had a nasty fight and patched things up in K-drama style in the rain!

    Explaining how the dramatic reunion happened, Jimin further said, “I asked, ‘where are you?’ Then, he said, ‘I don’t know.’ So, I said, ‘Tell me where you are and I’ll come get you.’” Jungkook explained how he decided to take a taxi home that day and almost got jumped on by Jimin making him cry inconsolably.

    “Yes. So, I was waiting for him in the rain. When Jungkook arrived. I hugged him tightly like in Slam Dunk calling, ‘Jungkook!’ Jungkook cried a lot that day.”, Jimin added.

  • ‘Putin has no idea what’s coming’: Biden closes all airspace to Russian flights

    ‘Putin has no idea what’s coming’: Biden closes all airspace to Russian flights

    United States (US) President Joe Biden, while addressing a joint session of Congress, announced that the US is closing its airspace to all Russian flights.

    Biden said, “Tonight, I’m announcing that we will join our allies in closing off American airspace to all Russian flights, further isolating Russia and adding an additional squeeze on their economy”, further adding that Putin has no idea what’s coming.

    Biden said the country is imposing “powerful sanctions” on Russia. He repeatedly hit out at Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, saying that Putin alone is to blame for the war.

    During the address, the US President also paid a nod to Kyiv’s ambassador to Washington, Oksana Markarova, who was in attendance.

    The US has shown support to Ukraine after the Russian invasion. However, Biden has made it clear that the country will not send troops to fight Russia in Ukraine.

    Currently, Russia is showing no sign of stopping an assault that has included strikes on the Ukrainian capital i.e Kyiv and Kharkiv. Dozens have been killed and hundreds of thousands have fled the country to seek shelter.

    Earlier this week, both Moscow and Ukraine sat together for talks on the Ukraine-Belarus border with the aim of an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces but no decision could be made.

  • Afghans forced to sell kidneys as struggle to feed children continues

    Afghans forced to sell kidneys as struggle to feed children continues

    In the western city of Herat, a nearby area is known as “one kidney village” as Afghans are willing to sacrifice an organ to save and feed their families. 

    The country’s financial situation has gotten worse after the Taliban’s takeover which has left tens of thousands of Afghans, jobless, debt-ridden, and struggling.

    Nooruddin, 32 told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that he quit his factory job when his salary was slashed to $30 (Rs5,323) but after he was unable to find another one, in desperation, he sold a kidney as a short term fix. 

    He said he regrets it now as he can no longer work. “I’m in pain and I cannot lift anything heavy”, he added. Nooruddin was among eight people AFP spoke to who had sold a kidney— some for as little as $1,500 (Rs266,175).

    Shakila is a mother of two and at the age of 19, sold her kidney for $1,500 to settle the family’s debt. AFP reported that a mother-of-three Aziza was waiting for her opportunity.

    Aziza said, “If I don’t sell my kidney, I will be forced to sell my one-year-old daughter.” 

    The practice of selling an organ is unregulated in Afghanistan. A former top Afghan surgeon stated, “There is no law to control how the organs can be donated or sold, but the consent of the donor is necessary.” He added that they never investigate how or where the patient or donor comes from because it’s not their job.

    The country is in dire need of foreign aid. Last month, United States (US) President Joe Biden signed an executive order to release Afghan assets worth $7 billion but Biden split the money between humanitarian aid for war-torn Afghanistan and a fund for September 11 attacks victims.

     

  • ‘I am here’: Ukrainian President Zelensky tells citizens during Russian invasion

    ‘I am here’: Ukrainian President Zelensky tells citizens during Russian invasion

    Street fighting has reportedly broken out in Kyiv, as the Russian troops have reached the capital after less than three days of fighting, reports Al Jazeera.

    Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said that Ukrainian forces have been able to mount a strong defence against the Russians.

    In the early hours of Saturday, Zelensky released a video outside his office in the capital city. He said, “I am here. We will not lay down the weapons. We will defend our state. This is our land our country, our children and we will defend all of that.”

    The Ukrainian president has turned down an offer by the United States (US) government to evacuate the country. “I need ammunition, not a ride,” he remarked.

    Ukrainians have been advised to take shelter. Around100,000 people are believed to have left their homes.

    US officials believe Russian President Vladimir Putin is determined to overthrow Ukraine’s government and replace it with a regime of his own. The Biden administration has also imposed sanctions on Russia.

    On February 23, Putin allowed Russian forces to invade Ukraine.

    Zelensky, in a tweet, called for Ukraine to be granted European Union (EU) membership. He said he had discussed “further effective assistance” as well as “the heroic struggle of Ukrainians for their free future” with European Council President Charles Michel.