Turkey has blocked access to social media platform Instagram, the infotech regulator said on Friday, without stating a reason or duration for the ban, which also left the platform’s mobile app inaccessible.
The move follows comments on Wednesday by Turkish communications official Fahrettin Altun, criticising the platform for what he called its decision to block condolence posts on the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, a key official of Palestinian militant group Hamas.
“This is censorship, pure and simple,” Altun, the communications director of the Turkish presidency, said on X, adding that Instagram had not cited any policy violations for its action.
There was no immediate comment from Instagram parent Meta Platforms Inc, on either the ban or Altun’s comments.
Turkey’s Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) published the August 2 decision on its website.
Continuing their impressive journey in the ongoing Norway Cup 2024, the Pakistani Youth teams — U15 side from Better Future and U17 side from Muslim Hands FC — made their way into the semi-finals of their respective competitions.
In a breathtaking match, the Pakistan Street Child Football Team defeated Germany’s JSG Leintal 3-2. The Green Shirts won the match by scoring a last-minute winner.
A brace was scored by Mohammad Kashif while Mohammad Junaid netted one goal as celebrations erupted among the Pakistani community in Norway following the victory.
The U17 team will now face Norway’s Forde IL in the first semi-final which will be played later today.
On the other hand, the U15 team named Better Future Pakistan thumped Norway’s Forde IL 1 3-0 in the quarter-final and made their way to the semi-final.
Subhan Karim scored twice while Shahbaz Ali found the back of the once as the Pakistani side qualified for the semis.
They will now face Norway’s Varegg Fotball 1 in the semi-final in U15 category later today.
It is worth mentioning that in Norway Cup 2023, Muslim Hands FC lost the final on penalties 10-9 against Sola FK. They were undefeated throughout the tournament and defeated all the teams they faced by big margins.
The Pakistani team scored a total of 28 goals in Norway Cup 2023 and conceded only three and proved that they are capable of not just winning the matches, but winning them with a high score line.
Bangladesh on Thursday banned right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami party, its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir and other associate organisations under anti-terrorism law, Anadolu Agency reported citing an official order.
The ban will come into effect immediately, according to a gazette notification issued by the home ministry.
The government move came as the South Asian nation has been witnessing massive student protests since last month, which have led to the death of at least 150 people.
The move, decried as “unconstitutional and illegal” by the Jamaat-e-Islami, comes after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina blamed it and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for violence that forced her to impose curfew.
In a statement issued earlier, the Jamaat had condemned the Awami League-led ruling alliance’s decision as “illegal, extrajudicial and unconstitutional”.
“Using state machinery, they are playing a blame game against Jamaat and other opposition parties,” said Shafiqur Rahman, chief of the party, which, along with the opposition, had denied the government’s statement that they stoked violence.
Jamaat was effectively banned from contesting elections by a 2013 court decision that its registration as a political party conflicted with the South Asian nation’s secular constitution.
Bangladesh shut down the internet and sent the army to enforce a nationwide curfew as the demonstrations spread after they began in universities and colleges in June.
Thousands were injured as security forces fired rubber bullets, tear gas and lobbed sound grenades to disperse tens of thousands of protesters who flooded into the streets.
The violence was the biggest test Hasina, 76, has faced since winning a fourth straight term in elections in January that were boycotted by BNP and also marred by deadly protests.
She first led her party to victory in elections in 1996, serving one five-year term before regaining power in 2009, never to lose again.
Rights groups and critics say Hasina has become increasingly autocratic during her last 15 years in power, marked by arrests of political opponents and activists, forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, charges she denies.
The United Nations, global rights groups, the United States and Britain criticised Dhaka’s use of force against the demonstrators, asking it to uphold the right to peaceful protest.
Members of the Students Against Discrimination group, who had agreed to call off their agitation after the Supreme Court scrapped most quotas on July 21, said they would march on Wednesday to protest recent deaths, arrests, and intimidation.
Rights groups have condemned authorities for arrests of close to 10,000 people over the past two weeks on charges of involvement in clashes and destroying state property.
“We will also demand a United Nations investigation into the violence,” Mohammad Mahin Sarkar, a co-ordinator of the movement for quota reform, said in a statement.
In response, Anisul Huq, the minister for law, justice and parliamentary affairs, said Dhaka had set up a judicial inquiry to investigate thoroughly.
Experts have blamed the unrest on stagnant job growth in the private sector and high rates of youth unemployment that have made government jobs more attractive at a time when inflation is running around 10%
The government has announced a package worth Rs5 million for each family as part of its efforts to provide legal and financial assistance to the heirs of missing persons, said Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Friday.
The minister stated this while briefing the media on the decisions taken in the federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz earlier today in Islamabad.
Tarar said the federal cabinet discussed the issue of missing persons and approved the support package and added that the premier approved the package in light of the recommendations made by the previous committees on the issue of missing persons.
The law minister said two reports about the missing persons were presented before the cabinet today, adding that the cabinet also approved the constitution of a special committee to examine genuine cases of families in need of support after reviewing the final report of the committees.
He further said the new committee will address the problems being faced by the missing persons’ families.
The assistance announced today is not a remuneration, he clarified, adding it is an attempt by the government to share the grief of missing persons’ families and resolve their problems.
The law minister said that there are a lot of “complicated” reasons behind the issue of missing persons, adding that the government has taken strict measures to resolve the issue and most of the cases have been tackled through the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (COIED).
The government is committed to resolving all issues of missing persons by tapping into all resources, Tarar added.
The law minister claimed last month that “only 23% of missing persons’ cases are pending”, adding that 10,200 cases of missing persons were registered in the COIED out of which around 8,000 cases have been addressed.
The information minister had said that in 2011, the Supreme Court formed an inquiry commission about missing persons which sorted out 7,900 cases out of 10,023 cases and now 23% of the cases are pending.
In its report presented in January this year, the missing person’s inquiry commission said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 3,485 cases of missing persons, making it the highest number in the country. Causalities in drone attacks and the spike in militancy were the key reasons behind the disappearances, as per the report.
In Balochistan, 2,752 cases related to enforced disappearance were lodged, the commission had said, adding that besides other reasons, fleeing abroad without informing their families, due to the prevailing situation in the province, was among the causes of these cases.
The government’s announcement came as the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) activists demanding the recovery of missing persons, called off their sit-in in Gwadar earlier today after successful negotiations with the local administration.
The protesters announced ending their sit-ins in Gwadar and across the province after an agreement was signed by Dr Mahrang Baloch— from the protesters’ side — and Gwadar district’s deputy commissioner.
A staunch follower of Hindutva ideology and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) activist from New Jersey faces around ten years in prison after being charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for threatening to kill and behead a number of American Sikhs – just a day ahead of Khalistan Referendum voting in Brampton, Canada on Sept 18, 2022 – for their political opinion on Khalistan.
Agitated by the publicity around the Khalistan Referendum campaign in Canada in September 2022, Bhushan Athale, 48, from the County of Burlington and the District of New Jersey, sent out several voice notes and texts to a non-profit US Sikh organisation and its three Sikh employees and threatened to behead them with a razor and lynch them publicly for allegedly supporting the Khalistan movement.
He issued threats to kill three Sikhs including a Sikh female worker and two Sikh men. Using the anti-Sikh religion slurs often employed by the Hindutva supporters of BJP and RSS, Bhushan Athale abused Sikhs and disrespected their religious beliefs, calling them inferior and worthy of punishment. Athale also threatened to kill a Pakistan-origin Muslim, according to the unsealed US indictment.
He has been charged with one count of interfering with federally protected activities threatening to use a dangerous weapon and one count of transmitting an interstate threat to injure another person. The FBI’s investigation revealed that this was not the first time that Athale had targeted individuals based on his hatred of their religion as in November 2021, Athale had sent hate messages to his Muslim co-worker in Nebraska expressing his animosity towards them.
According to the criminal complaint, on or about Sept 17, 2022, Athale made a phone call to a Sikh organisation that advocates for the civil rights of Sikh individuals within the United States. Over the next hour, Athale left seven voicemails expressing extreme hatred toward Sikh individuals working at the NGO and threatening to injure or kill these individuals with a razor.
Athale’s voicemails, which were filled with violent imagery and obscenity, contained references to places, people and tenets that are particularly significant within the Sikh religion. Among other things, Athale stated his intention to “catch” the Sikhs at the organisation, forcibly “shave” the “top and bottom hair” of these individuals, use a “razor” to forcibly “cut” these individuals’ hair and “make” them bald, forcibly “make” them smoke and eat tobacco and “show [them] the heaven”.
The Hindutva activist asked a female Sikh why she and the Sikhs wanted Khalistan and started cursing and threatening her till she put the phone down.
On September 17, 2002 he said in a message: “If you want Khalistan, I will catch one of you, will shave off top and bottom hair of each of you; if you want Khalistan, I will give you Khalistan, I will catch each and every Sikh and cut their hair; you want Khalistan, you son of a …’ will catch every Sikh for supporting Khalistan; you want Khalistan, we will give you free haircut; we need all Sikhs out of Punjab and India for supporting Khalistan; we will catch and cut off all Sikhs’ hair from all over; I will make sure every Sikh is bald and we will catch every Sikh and make a donation.”
Athale’s threats continued till March 2024. In another threatening voice note, he praised Indian PM Modi and urged him to seize properties of Sikhs so “they can make Khalistan in Canada”. He called on Modi to kill both Muslims and Sikhs.
The Hindutva supporter also sent messages to a former Pakistani origin co-worker that he “hate[d] Pakistan” and “hate[d] Muslims,” and he told the co-worker: “I hate you, I just don’t know how to kill your whole family including you? Tell me? I will figure it out […] Probably I will hire a Jew; they will be most happy.”
In March 2023, Athale again called the same Sikh organisation and left two more voicemails. In these voicemails, Athale again used violent imagery to express his hatred toward Sikhs as well as Muslims, suggesting, among other things, that the Indian government and Mumbai police should “catch them, beat them and rape their family members”.
The Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) founder and leader and Khalistan Referendum campaign’s main coordinator Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said Bhushan Athale is a follower of Modi’s violent Hindutva ideology, arrested and indicted in New Jersey for threatening American Sikhs on account of the religious and political opinion of Khalistan. Pannun said: “Threats initiated just a day before Khalistan Referendum voting in Canada. This once again proves that Modi’s India uses violent transnational repression to suppress dissenting political opinion while Sikhs believe in democratic process of voting to liberate Punjab from Indian occupation”.
Athale now faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for interfering with federally protected activities and a maximum penalty of five years in prison for transmitting an interstate threat. Both charges also carry a penalty of up to a $250,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Before a party member is selected as a running mate for a presidential candidate, they go through a vetting process. The process aims to root out the contenders’ darkest secrets including whatever their family, friends and other acquaintances may be hiding.
It is done to avoid any potential future controversy if the presidential candidate is elected for the White House and their running mate assumes the role of vice president.
The process can be taxing and extensive as confirmed by Senator Tim Kaine who was vetted during former president Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in 2008 and again in 2016 when he was chosen to be Hillary Clinton’s running mate.
“It’s very intense,” said the senator as quoted by USA Today. He added that when colleagues who are about to be vetted as every election cycle comes around, they come to him for advice.
The process can be surprisingly thorough and deep — even for senators and governors — who have already been scrutinised in statewide races and everything about the candidate’s life will be known, Kaine stated.
The sentiment was reciprocated by Representative Byron Donalds who was one of the eight probable contenders to become Donald Trump’s running mate this year.
As quoted by USA Today, Donalds describes the process as “pretty interesting” and “a process that takes a deep dive into every decision in your life.”
Several Democrats are going through the vetting process right now as the current Vice President of the US is preparing to run for the White House and is yet to reveal her running mate.
The vetting process is extensive and it usually takes months for a party member to be deemed entirely suitable for the role. But for Kamal Harris, the process has been accelerated as she has had only two weeks since President Joe Biden ended his campaign and endorsed the VP for the White House.
Seven Democratic Party members have been vetted and were on the shortlist including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, US Senator Mark Kelly from the District of Arizona, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
However, Cooper took an exit from the race saying that his Republican Lieutenant Governor would challenge his authority if he were to campaign out of state which he would have to do as Harris’ running mate.
Whitmer also stated that she had plans to remain governor of Michigan until the end of her term which is in 2026.
Harris’ election campaign will reveal her running mate by the start of the next week.
Britney Spears’s former husband Sam Asghari spilled the beans on his romantic life.
Sam recently sat down for a confessional with Us Weekly for promoting new comedy flick, Jack Pot!.
When asked about his plans for the future, the acting sensation revealed, “Right now, I’m dating a very high-maintenance girl.”
“And, you know, I have to get her nails done and take her to the dog park and feed her good food and get her really nice treats,” he also added of his pet dog.
“That is what I’m focused on at the moment,” he confessed.
The actor also shared that his number one priority right now is to make his mark in the showbiz industry.
“And [a] career is something that’s going to require 100 percent of your time, and I’m really putting all that effort and putting all of my mindset towards acting … [and] producing career,” he admitted.
“It deserves that type of work ethic, and watching my sisters do such an amazing thing at pursuing their dreams makes me inspired.”
“Watching them work 100 percent makes me realize it’s going to take 100-and-something percent to reach my goals,” Sam also added.
“My goals are always the opposite of my personality,” he noted and concluded the discussion by claiming, “That’s gonna require a lot of time, so I’m not really focusing on [dating] at the moment.”
Pakistan’s rising squash player Nasir Iqbal dominated Japan’s Tomo Endo in the quarter-final of the ongoing Bega Open Squash tournament being held in Australia.
Iqbal defeated Endo in three consecutive sets with scores of 11-4, 11-7 and 11-7 to make his way into the semi-final clash against Switzerland’s Robin Gadola.
Gadola had earlier defeated top seed Noor Zaman in 2nd round of the tournament.
Iqbal has been in outstanding form this year, consistently delivering strong performances in various tournaments. This is his 5th consecutive semi-final in Australia, he won three of his four previous tournaments.
The Bega Open Squash tournament boasts a total prize money of $12,000.
Last month, Iqbal won the Tasmanian Open Squash Championship, which also took place in Australia.
Iqbal defeated Switzerland’s David Barnett 3-1 with the scores of 11-8, 12-10, 6-11 and 11-5.
That was Iqbal’s third title on Australian soil this year, he previously claimed titles at the Bendigo International and Shepparton Open and reached the semi-final of the Victoria Open.
This achievement follows his notable appearance in the final of the CNS Squash Championship held in Karachi earlier this year.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned that heavy rainfalls and thunderstorms are likely to trigger urban flooding in parts of Punjab and Sindh.
The federal authority’s National Emergencies Operation Center has anticipated that rainfall and thundershower is expected in southern and northeastern parts of the Punjab during next 24 hours.
Likewise, rainfall and thundershowers are expected in the northeastern parts of Sindh over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Under this system, scattered rainfall with chances of heavyfalls is expected in Mithi, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Matiari, Jamshoro, Umarkot, Tharparkar, Khairpur, Thatta, Badin, Chhor, Padidan, Sajawal, Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Dadu, and surrounding areas.
Similarly, scattered rainfall is expected in Potohar region, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sahiwal, and surrounding areas.
Moreover, heavy rain and isolated heavy falls are expected in Bahawalpur, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, and surrounding areas.
The NDMA has issued instructions to all relevant departments to take necessary precautions to mitigate the possible effects of flooding and extreme weather.
Urban flooding and inundation is likely to take place in aforementioned areas. Population at risk is advised to avoid flood waters and find a safe location away from flood-prone areas. The advisory also asked the citizens to ensure roofs and windows are properly sealed to prevent water leakage and clear gutters and drainage systems to avoid water accumulation.
Additionally, it has also been advised to secure any loose items outside that could be blown away or damaged by strong winds and heavy rain. Use alternative routes to avoid areas prone to flooding. Be aware of open manholes and submerged obstacles. Unplug electrical appliances during heavy rains to avoid short circuits. Do not touch electrical equipment with wet hands.
The NDMA has launched the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert application, available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store, to provide timely alerts, advisories, and guidelines to the public.
Raising serious concerns about the safety of women using both online and offline transport options, a ride-hailing service taxi driver allegedly sexually assaulted a female passenger in Lahore in the presence of her female friend before fleeing the scene, Geo News reported on Saturday.
The police, after registering a case on the victim’s complaint, have sprung into action to apprehend the suspect using a partial vehicle registration number identified by her.
According to the first information report (FIR), the driver dropped off the woman and her friend at their home after completing the ride; however, he did not drive away immediately.
Instead, he tailed them inside the house to perpetrate the alleged crime, as per the accusation.
For the victim, what started as an ordinary ride home with a friend turned into a harrowing ordeal she could never have imagined.
As per her details from the complaint lodged with the police, the victim had booked an online taxi after an evening out with her friend, hoping for a safe and convenient journey home — an everyday practice for average commuters in Pakistan.
As the — otherwise an ordinary ride — came to an end, the driver dropped them off at the victim’s house. Just as they were about to step into the place, the driver asked for a glass of water.
Thinking nothing of this harmless request, the woman went inside to fetch a glass of water leaving the door open behind her, which proved to be a fatal error, as per the victim’s complaint in the FIR.
The driver allegedly forced his way into the house behind them and violated the victim, while her horrified friend watched the assault helplessly.
The victim’s complaint also states that her parents, who were nearby, soon arrived at the scene and beat up the alleged rapist, trying their best not to draw the whole neighbourhood’s attention owing to the sensitivity of the matter.
However, they eventually let him go to spare the victim further trauma and prevent the dishonour such acts bring to the family in a conservative society like Pakistan, where women rape victims are usually stigmatised by the society.
Seizing the opportunity, the perpetrator fled immediately, leaving the women and the victim’s family in shock and disbelief.
This incident highlights the vulnerability that many women are exposed to daily, even in so-called safe and familiar environments.
It also reminds us that there is a desperate need for the right safety measures, tighter regulations, and thorough background checks for service providers in the online ride-hailing economy.
In September 2020, two robbers allegedly gang-raped a woman in front of her children when her car broke down on the Lahore-Sialkot motorway on Wednesday night in an area falling within Gujjarpura police station’s jurisdiction.
The woman, along with her two children, was driving to Gujranwala when she was forced to stop at around 1:30am at the Gujjarpura section of the motorway after reportedly running out of fuel.
She immediately called a relative and sent him her location. He asked her to also dial the Motorway Police helpline 130 from which she reportedly received no response.
In the meantime, two robbers reportedly approached the car, broke the window, and took the woman and her children to nearby bushes where they allegedly raped her in front of the children.
Data released on violence against women in 2023 by Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) shows the number of rape cases in Punjab remains a huge cause for concern.
A total of 6,624 rape cases were reported across the province in 2023, which meant that approximately after every 45 minutes, a woman was raped. Faisalabad emerged as a hotspot district with 728 cases, followed closely by Lahore (721) and Sargodha (398).
The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has announced that gas supply to some areas of Karachi will remain suspended for 12 hours on Sunday (August 4).
The suspension of the gas supply is part of the utility’s efforts to improve the low pressure of gas for domestic consumers as well as industrial and commercial sectors in the port city, said a SSGC’s spokesperson in a statement on Friday.
The company said that a 20-inch diameter and 12-kilometre long gas distribution pipeline will be connected with the system on Sunday.
The gas supply suspension from 8am to 8pm will affect industries and domestic consumers in some sectors of Korangi, Hashmi Goth, Mansehra Colony, Allahabad Goth and their adjoining areas in the metropolis.
The development came after the gas company suspended the gas supply in the megacity on July 28 for 24 hours.
The statement further said that the SSGC’s technical team would try to restore the gas as soon as possible.
Last Sunday’s shutdown affected areas including Surjani Town (all sectors), North Karachi (all sectors), Manghopir Town, Qasba Town, Orangi Town (all sectors), North Nazimabad (all blocks), FB Area (all blocks), Gulberg (all blocks), Buffer Zone, SITE Industrial Area, Baldia Town, Ittehad Town, Mauripur, Central Region’s Gulshan-e-Maymar, Ahsanabad, Janjal Goth and SITE Super Highway as well as their adjacent areas.
The SSGC, in its July 27 handout, had said that the pipeline would largely address the issues of low-pressure supply of gas to the company’s industrial customers located in the western region.
The discovery of a half-billion-year-old fossil of a worm-like creature has provided a significant breakthrough in understanding the evolution of arthropod brains. The fossil, named Youti yuanshi, is believed to have lived around 500 million years ago during the Cambrian period, a time of rapid diversification of life on Earth. The exceptional preservation of the fossil, with its soft tissues replaced by phosphate, has allowed scientists to create 3D prints and images of the creature’s structure, providing a unique glimpse into the evolution of arthropod brains.
The fossil reveals a brain and circulatory system, including nerves that would have served the organism’s legs and eyes. This level of detail has never been seen before in a fossil of this age, and it has significant implications for our understanding of the evolution of arthropod brains. The discovery suggests that arthropod brains have evolved to exhibit more complex behaviors and morphologies over time, and it sheds light on the rapid rise in diversity of arthropods during the Cambrian period.
The findings of this study contribute to our understanding of the evolution of arthropods, which have maintained their diversity to the present day. Arthropods include a wide range of species, from insects and crustaceans to arachnids and others, and they play a vital role in many ecosystems. By studying the evolution of arthropod brains, scientists can gain insights into the development of complex behaviors and the adaptation of species to their environments.
The discovery of Youti yuanshi is a significant addition to the growing body of knowledge about ancient arthropod fossils. Other recent discoveries have also provided important insights into the evolution of arthropod brains and body plans. Together, these findings are helping to piece together the story of how arthropods evolved and diversified over millions of years. As scientists continue to study these ancient fossils, they may uncover even more secrets about the evolution of life on Earth.
Pakistan’s U18 volleyball team has made a remarkable impression in the Asia U18 Volleyball Championship 2024, securing their fourth consecutive victory by defeating Chinese Taipei 3-1 in the first Super Eight match. This flawless performance has showcased the team’s exceptional skill, strategy, and composure, leaving a lasting impact on the tournament.
The team’s journey to the Super Eight round was nothing short of impressive, with three consecutive wins in the group stage. Their victory over Korea earned them points, which they carried forward to the Super Eight round, giving them a significant advantage. The team’s standout players, including Mehd Ali Shah, Abu Bakar, Muhammad Yahya, and Muhammad Anas, have demonstrated remarkable talent and dedication, making significant contributions to the team’s success.
With this victory, Pakistan’s chances of advancing to the semifinals have significantly improved, and the team is poised to make a lasting impact on the tournament. Their next match against Japan will be a crucial test of their skills, but the team’s confidence and momentum are expected to carry them through. The Asia U18 Volleyball Championship has provided a platform for Pakistan’s young talent to shine, and the team’s performance has made the nation proud.
The team’s success can be attributed to their rigorous training, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment to excellence. The coaching staff and support team have played a vital role in shaping the team’s skills and mentality, and their efforts have paid off. As Pakistan continues to make strides in the tournament, the nation holds its breath, hoping for a historic victory that will cement the team’s place in the annals of volleyball history.
Pakistan Railways has announced a significant reduction in ticket prices for all categories of passenger trains across the country, effective from August 3, 2024. This move aims to make train travel more affordable and accessible to the public, particularly for those who rely on this mode of transportation for their daily commutes. The reduction in fares will see AC class tickets decrease by Rs100 to Rs150, while economy class tickets will become cheaper by Rs50.
This decision comes as a welcome relief for passengers who have been bearing the brunt of increased fares in recent times. Just a fortnight ago, the railway department had announced a 1% hike in fares for all trains, citing operational costs and maintenance expenses. However, in a surprising reversal, the authorities have now opted to reduce fares, demonstrating their commitment to making rail travel a viable option for the masses.
The fare reduction is expected to boost passenger numbers and increase revenue for Pakistan Railways. By making train travel more affordable, the railway department hopes to attract more commuters who currently rely on road transport. This move is also seen as a step towards improving the overall quality of service and enhancing the travel experience for passengers.
As Pakistan Railways continues to grapple with challenges such as aging infrastructure and limited resources, this decision to reduce fares is a positive step towards revitalizing the rail network. With this move, the authorities aim to restore public trust and confidence in the railway system, paving the way for future improvements and upgrades.
A severe rainfall event struck Lahore, breaking a 44-year record with a staggering 360mm of rain in just three hours. This unprecedented downpour caused widespread devastation, resulting in the loss of at least four lives, including a young girl, and leaving seven others injured in separate incidents of electrocution and roof collapse. The extreme weather event brought the city to a standstill, with flooding in hospitals, interrupted power supply, and submerged streets rendering the metropolis immobile.
The city’s infrastructure was severely impacted, with roads and buildings damaged, and rescue workers and emergency services were deployed to assist those affected by the flooding. The city administration and Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) launched efforts to drain the rainwater and restore normalcy, but the task was daunting. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had forecasted a wetter-than-usual monsoon season this year in Pakistan, and the latest spell of rain was a stark reminder of the challenges ahead.
As the city struggled to cope with the aftermath of the record-breaking rainfall, the government declared an emergency and announced that offices and schools would be shut for the day. The Punjab Chief Minister and other officials visited the affected areas to oversee relief operations and ensure necessary measures were being taken to address the situation. The government’s response was swift, but the scale of the disaster was immense, and it would take time to restore the city to its former state.
The rainfall event served as a stark reminder of the need for improved infrastructure and disaster preparedness in Lahore. As the city looks to the future, it is clear that investment in drainage systems, flood protection measures, and emergency response planning will be crucial to mitigating the impact of such events. For now, the people of Lahore can only begin the process of recovery and rebuilding, hoping that such a disaster will not strike again soon.
The government of Islamabad has made a significant announcement, abolishing Saturday as a weekly off day for all public schools and educational institutions in the federal capital, effective from August 10. This decision marks a substantial shift in the academic calendar, aiming to boost academic productivity, and provide students with additional learning opportunities. By utilizing Saturdays for extra classes, the authorities hope to enhance the learning experience, and better prepare students for future challenges.
The extra classes, focusing on core subjects like Language and Mathematics, will be conducted on Saturdays, but students will have the option to skip these classes if they wish to do so. This provision ensures that students who may have other commitments or require additional rest can still benefit from the flexibility. However, for those who choose to attend, the extra classes will provide valuable reinforcement and support in critical subjects.
This decision is part of a broader effort to revamp the education system in Islamabad, aligning it with international standards, which often have a six-day school week. By adopting this approach, the government aims to improve academic outcomes, increase student engagement, and better equip students for success in an increasingly competitive world.
While some may view this decision as an added burden on students, others see it as an opportunity for extra learning and growth. Parents and educators alike are eagerly awaiting the implementation of this new policy, hoping it will bring about positive changes in the education sector. As the city prepares for this significant change, one thing is clear – the government’s commitment to education is unwavering, and this decision is just the beginning of a new era in academic excellence.
The International Press Institute (IPI) has expressed grave concerns over a proposed global surveillance treaty, warning that it poses a significant and far-reaching threat to press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the fundamental principles of democracy. The treaty, which is being developed under the auspices of the United Nations, is ostensibly intended to combat cybercrime and enhance online security. However, the IPI and other human rights organizations fear that its provisions could be exploited by governments and other actors to grant themselves sweeping surveillance powers, undermining the ability of journalists to report on sensitive topics and hold those in power accountable.
The IPI’s concerns are multifaceted and alarming. Firstly, the treaty’s broad definitions and vague language could be used to justify the surveillance of journalists, whistleblowers, and other sources of sensitive information, chilling the ability of the press to investigate and report on important stories. Secondly, the treaty’s global scope could have far-reaching implications, affecting journalists and media outlets in countries around the world, and potentially creating a global surveillance regime that undermines democratic values and human rights. Finally, the IPI is concerned that the treaty could be used to legitimize and normalize the kind of mass surveillance and data collection that has been criticized by human rights groups and civil society organizations.
In light of these concerns, the IPI has called on the US to reject the treaty and instead stand up for the principles of press freedom, democracy, and human rights. By doing so, the US can help ensure that the treaty does not become a tool for governments to silence dissenting voices, suppress the free exchange of ideas, and undermine the ability of the press to hold those in power accountable. The IPI’s call to action is urgent and necessary, and it is essential that governments, civil society organizations, and human rights groups around the world join forces to prevent the erosion of press freedom and the entrenchment of a global surveillance state.
WhatsApp, the widely-used messaging platform, has recently introduced an innovative feature that is poised to transform the way users convey emotions and ideas in their chats. The launch of animated emojis is a significant development, enabling individuals to add a dynamic and engaging dimension to their messages. This exciting feature, currently available to Android beta testers, allows users to send animated versions of popular emojis, such as the laughing face and red heart, injecting a new level of personality and whimsy into their conversations.
The animated emojis, crafted using the cutting-edge Lottie library, ensure seamless and high-quality animations that don’t compromise performance. This attention to detail underscores WhatsApp’s commitment to delivering a superior user experience. As the feature rolls out to a broader audience, including iOS and desktop users, it’s clear that the messaging landscape is on the cusp of a significant evolution.
This update is part of WhatsApp’s ongoing efforts to enhance user engagement, with a slew of other features in the pipeline. Message reactions, new interfaces for voice calls, and end-to-end encryption indicators are just a few examples of the innovations that will soon be available to users. With animated emojis, WhatsApp is set to take user interaction to new heights, making messaging more enjoyable, interactive, and immersive.
In a world where digital communication is increasingly prevalent, WhatsApp’s animated emojis offer a refreshing way to add tone and nuance to text-based conversations. By providing users with a more expressive and dynamic way to connect, WhatsApp is cementing its position as a leader in the messaging space. As this feature becomes widely available, it will be exciting to see how users incorporate animated emojis into their daily conversations, pushing the boundaries of digital communication and self-expression.
Yusuf Dikec, the Turkish Olympic shooting silver medalist, has taken the internet by storm with his effortlessly cool and laid-back style during the mixed team 10m air pistol event. His relaxed posture, which included casually keeping his left hand in his pocket, has caught the attention of many and sparked a flurry of interest on social media. Dikec’s unconventional shooting technique, which involves keeping both eyes open, has also raised eyebrows and earned him admiration from fans worldwide.
Despite his unorthodox approach, Dikec and his partner Sevval Ilayda Tarhan secured the silver medal, narrowly losing to Serbia in the gold medal match. The internet has fallen in love with Dikec’s debonair style, with many users comparing him to James Bond, praising his calm and collected demeanor under pressure.
As a result, Dikec has become an unlikely internet sensation, with his name and face becoming synonymous with coolness and poise. His unique approach to shooting has also sparked a conversation about the importance of individuality and self-expression in sports, inspiring others to embrace their own unique style and flair.
