Former Bangladesh cricket team captain Shakib-ul-Hasan has become a Member of Parliament after winning a seat in the country’s parliamentary elections on Sunday.
Bangladesh’s famous all-rounder and former captain defeated his opponent in the Magura constituency by a margin of more than 150,000 votes.
Shakib al Hasan participated in the election on the ticket of Awami League, the ruling party of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid.
According to reports, Hasina Wajid has also won for the 8th time from her native constituency, in an election mired by controversies and allegations of rigging.
All the opposition parties of Bangladesh, including the BNP, completely boycotted the election based on the government’s reprisals, arrests, and punishments.
Before the election, Shakib al Hasan expressed concern about participating in the election, saying that he could play a balanced role in cricket and politics. Shakib al Hasan has not yet retired from the sport.
He is the only cricketer to hold the International Cricket Council (ICC) number-one all rounder ranking in all three cricket formats simultaneously.
Popular Pakistani actress Beena Chaudhry has revealed in a recent video posted on her Instagram that she’s been getting death threats since the past few days. In the video, she said, “I was told that if I don’t stay quiet, I could be killed.”
Chaudhry ominously said that anything could happen to her at any time. She has recorded a video naming those responsible in case something happens to her, and she plans to share it on social media. Beena Chaudhary has not clarified the reason behind the death threats nor has she mentioned the name of those threatening her. Fans asked authorities to look into the matter and protect her.
The burnt body of a married young woman was found in her father’s furniture showroom in Gujranwala, reports Geo News.
While the reason for the murder is unknown as yet, the husband of the victim is absconding and according to the preliminary investigation of the police, he is the prime suspect.
According to further details, 24-year-old Maryam, a resident of Dhariwal, was first married to her cousin. After the marriage ended in a divorce, Maryam’s second marriage took place with Sajid, a resident of Kot Ishaq.
Sajid and Maryam used to fight often. About six months ago, Maryam’s parents brought their daughter and son-in-law to their village and offered them a room adjacent to her father’s furniture showroom to live in.
Maryam’s father told the police that he had gone to a nearby mosque for Fajr prayers in the morning and came back to see the burnt body.
The police say that the search for the woman’s husband is going on.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa stated on Monday that the Supreme Court (SC) is not running anyone’s election campaign while hearing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) plea seeking contempt charges against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for allegedly not providing a level-playing field to the party in the upcoming general elections set to take place on February 8, 2024.
PTI lawyer and leader, Sardar Latif Khosa said that party leaders are facing political victimisation, on which CJP Isa responded, “We are the Supreme Court, not the government. We are not running anyone’s campaign.”
A three-member bench, including CJP Isa, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, and Justice Musrat Hilali heard the case.
At the last hearing, the SC issued notices on Wednesday to the Inspector General of Police Punjab (IGP), chief secretary, and advocate general in response to the PTI plea.
Sardar Latif Khosa presented arguments on behalf of party leader Shoaib Shaheen.
The eagerly awaited film ‘Wakhri’ in Pakistan has been released in cinemas across the country. The film, written and directed by Iram Parveen Bilal, is produced by Abid Aziz Merchant, Apoorva Bakshi and Iram Parveen Bilal. After the success of Moula Jatt, Mandviwala Entertainment has signed up with ‘Wakhri’ for the distribution of the film.
The Pakistan premiere of the movie took place at Nueplex Cinema, DHA, in Karachi. The film promises to entertain audience with its engrossing story and exceptional direction.
Award-winning director Iram Parveen Bilal shares that the film ‘Wakhri’ is a special project, particularly a heartfelt tribute to the women of Pakistan and around the world. The film’s goal is to amplify the voices of the marginalized in society and bring their stories to a global audience. Iram started making films to connect with humanity and address complex societal issues collaboratively with the viewers. The nationwide release of the film is a result of the hard work and dedication of the entire team. The story of ‘Wakhri’ centers around a widowed school teacher in Pakistan. An emotional and genuine video of hers gains sudden popularity on social media. The film depicts the challenges faced by women in a society where they struggle to raise their voices and establish their presence, be it in the physical or digital world.
Film producer Abid Aziz Merchant said that the film recently received praise at the Red Sea International Film Festival due to its unique story and direction. The film’s global recognition highlights the talent of Pakistani cinema on the world stage, bringing honor to Pakistani filmmakers. Beyond showcasing the challenges faced by women, the film also reflects social norms. With its captivating story and talented cast, ‘Wakhri’ aims to leave a lasting impression on the audience, providing a unique cinematic experience.
As the war on Gaza extends into its 90th day, impending famine and starvation are haunting the besieged strip.
According to an assessment of the integrated food security phase classification initiative, a UN-backed body that sets the international standard that determines the severity of the food crisis, food shortage in Gaza is solely a consequence of war. Before it began, about 150 to 180 food lorries entered Gaza every day. Since, the end of the “humanitarian pause” a month ago, only about 30 do so. They are blocked by Israeli bombardment, fighting on the ground, and by restrictions and inspections on the border with Egypt, imposed by the Israeli and Egyptian authorities, cites The Times.
More than a million people are displaced in Gaza but none is safe from hunger. It is rampant in Gaza, it is in the wasteland of al-Mawasi encampment in Gaza where handfuls of dirty flour are kneaded by mothers to make bread for their children. It is in the fires, stoked with plastic bottles, which produce nothing but choking black smoke. Children in Gaza no longer play but lie around, exhausted by hunger. It is in food that is rotten and makes you sick but is eaten just the same.
Camellia Subeh talked to The Times who stated that her breasts no longer produce milk for her baby son. “My other sons keep saying, ‘Mum, I’m dizzy, I have a headache,” said the mother of five, sitting outside a shelter she built on the mud from scraps of plastic and wood. Subeh and her children left their home in northern Gaza weeks ago on the instructions of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). They said this is a safe area. Perhaps it is safe from the bombs that have destroyed Gaza’s cities and towns but not from hunger, diseases, or thirst that will kill just the same as a bullet will. “This place is like a desert, all sand,” Subeh said. “We are so tired.” The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip after nearly three months of war stands at 21,672, with more than 55,000 wounded, the territory’s health ministry said on Saturday.
A 13-year-old, Muhammad al-Yaziji, told The Times, “I feel that this burden is very heavy for us. We became like beggars. We were not like that.”
In an interview with the New Yorker, Arif Hussain, the chief economist at the United Nations World Food Program explains that according to a consensus-based analysis by Integrated Phase Classification, the entire population of 2.2 million people is in a food-security crisis or a worse situation implying a famine is coming because the conditions are “catastrophic”.
Human Rights Watch drew from Israeli officials’ statements, interviews with people in the territory about the lack of food, and evidence of bombardment that has destroyed infrastructure and resources to accuse Israel in a December report of starvation as a war crime.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates for the upcoming general elections hang in limbo as internal disagreements and seat adjustments cause delays in announcement of final ticket announcements, The News has reported on Monday.
A source within PML-N told The News that it was expected that the party’s top leadership will award final party tickets on Sunday, however, the announcement got postponed due to seat adjustments with multiple political parties and internal disagreements between PML-N leaders.
According to sources in the party, the matter of tickets is creating difficulties for aspirants who have yet to start their election campaigns.
In Lahore, a rift between stalwarts Ayaz Sadiq and Sheikh Rohail Ashgar over party tickets has not been resolved, as both were not ready to give up. Similar is the case at Narowal, where Daniyal Aziz and Ahsan Iqbal are entangled in a rift over tickets for their blue-eyed candidates.
PML-N leader Rohail Asghar said that he doesn’t know the destiny of the seat, but he enjoyed good relations with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and has no disagreements with party leadership.
National cricket team coach Grant Bradburn, who worked with the Pakistan team in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Cricket World Cup played in India, has parted ways with Pakistan cricket.
In a post on ‘X’, Grant Bradburn announced his resignation, stating, “Time to close the amazing chapter that has been Pakistan Cricket. 3 roles over 5 years, I’m proud of what’s been achieved & and grateful to have worked with so many outstanding players, coaches & and staff. Wishing the teams, staff & and everyone at Pakistan Cricket continued success & and growth.”
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s former management appointed Bradburn as the team’s coach for two years in May and he was asked to report to the National Cricket Academy.
Grand Bradburn will soon take over the coaching of Glamorgan County.
The former batting coach of the Pakistan Cricket Team, Andrew Puttick, had also parted ways with the PCB and joined the Afghanistan cricket team without informing the Board.
Former Pakistani fast bowling legend Wasim Akram is known for being one of the wittiest men in international cricket. The great bowler once again reinforced his sense of humour in a video that’s going viral.
In the video, Akram can be seen teaching his fellow Australian commentators how to pronounce the name “Fakhar” – a word that sounds strikingly similar to THAT English swear word.
The renowned Pakistani pacer, who was a part of the commentary panel during the recently finished Test series between Australia and Pakistan, shared his witty insights and requested the other commentators to pronounce the word ‘Fakhar’, which resulted in a humorous debate.
On social media, the conversation’s video has become extremely popular. In the video, Akram says, “There’s another name you guys mess up too, try pronouncing Fakhar.”
Akram’s request made the other two burst into laughter, clearly showing Aussies’ struggle to pronounce the word correctly. Akram went on to share an incident about his Australian wife. “So Shaniera came to Pakistan and my son’s friend’s name was Fakhar. He brought his 12-year-old friend and he said, ‘This is my friend, Fakhar’. She said, ‘Hang on a minute’. Because Australians can’t pronounce khay in their language, it took her about two years to pronounce his name.”
Akram and the Australian commentators also discussed the amusing incident where the legendary former batsman Mark Waugh struggled to pronounce the name ‘Fakhar Zaman’ during a show.
The viral video moment occurred during the third and final Test match in Sydney.
In a resolution to the 2017 controversy surrounding Apple’s deliberate slowing down of iPhones with older batteries, recent reports indicate that affected users are now receiving settlements.
According to MacRumors, individuals impacted by this matter are finding deposits of $92.17 in their bank accounts, as confirmed by the website and corroborated by embedded posts from readers.
The settlement website, updated in December, indicated that payments were scheduled for this month, effectively bringing closure to the issue.
The “batterygate” incident originated in 2017 when a developer exposed iOS 10 updates slowing down the performance of older iPhone models like the 6S and 7, with Apple initially withholding the purpose of this slowdown.
Subsequently, the company revealed that it aimed to prevent spontaneous shutdowns as the battery degraded.
This led to multiple class action lawsuits, alleging that Apple’s actions forced premature phone upgrades rather than allowing users to replace their batteries.
In 2020, Apple reached a settlement, and by August of that year, legal hurdles were cleared, paving the way for impending payouts.
While initially expected to be around $65 for approved claims filed by October 6th, 2020, recent reports suggest the actual payments are higher, averaging $92.17, as reported by The Verge.
Noteworthy is the inclusion of the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and the original iPhone SE in the list of affected models. If you fall into this category, monitor your bank account for the settlement deposit.
