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Author: News Desk

  • World Cup 2023: South Africa defeat Bangladesh by 149 runs

    World Cup 2023: South Africa defeat Bangladesh by 149 runs

    In the ICC ODI World Cup, South Africa defeated Bangladesh by a huge margin of 149 runs to chalk up their fourth victory in the event.

    At the match played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first against Bangladesh.

    South Africa scored 382 runs for the loss of five wickets in the allotted 50 overs. De Kock played a brilliant innings of 174 runs while Henrik Klaasen scored 90 runs off 49 balls. This is Quinton de Kock’s third century in the current World Cup.

    Aiden Markram scored 60 runs, Hendricks scored 12 runs, van der Dusen scored one run and David Miller remained unbeaten with 34 runs.

    Hasan Mehmood took two wickets, while Mehdi Hasan Miraz, Shariful Islam, and Shakib Al Hasan got one wicket each for Bangladesh.

    Bangladesh’s whole team returned to the pavilion in 46.4 overs on 233 runs.

    Mohammadullah was top scorer with 111 runs.

    Gerald Coetzee took three wickets, while Marco Jensen, Lizzad Williamson, and Kagiso Rabada took two wickets each from the South African side.

  • Iceland’s Prime Minister strikes over gender pay gap

    Iceland’s Prime Minister strikes over gender pay gap

    Tens of thousands of women in Iceland, including the prime minister, walked off the job on Tuesday to demand equal pay and protest violence against women, organisers said.

    Iceland already tops a World Economic Forum (WEF) ranking for gender equality, but organisers said the country needed to make even more progress and lead by example.

    “We are keenly aware that we have not reached gender equality, and even though the situation may be better than other places, there is no reason to just call it a day,” Steinunn Rognvaldsdottir, one of the organisers of “Kvennafri” (Women’s Day Off), told AFP.

    The protest day has been called six times since 1975, this was only the second time that organisers made it a full-day strike, she added.

    The other times, women walked off the job at a symbolic hour after which they were technically no longer earning a salary compared to male colleagues.

    The average wage gap between men and women was 10.2 percent in 2021, according to Statistics Iceland.

    Around 90 percent of Iceland’s women took part in the first protest in 1975, “which was momentous”, Rognvaldsdottir said.

    Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir was among those striking, her office told AFP.

    “She will not attend to official duties and in that regard today’s scheduled cabinet meeting has been moved to tomorrow,” a spokesman said.

    – ‘A present for mother-in-law’ –

    Tens of thousands of women gathered for a large demonstration in the afternoon at the main square of the capital Reykjavik, and protests were also planned in other towns around the country of 400,000 people.

    In Reykjavik, where 75 percent of city employees are women, 59 daycare centres and preschools were closed and all city services were affected by the strike.

    City employees taking part in the strike will not lose pay, the city said.

    Organisers of the movement said they expected men to take charge of the unpaid work that often falls to women.

    “For this one day, we expect husbands, fathers, brothers and uncles to take on the responsibilities related to family and home, for example: preparing breakfast and lunch boxes, remembering birthdays of relatives, buying a present for your mother-in-law, making a dentist appointment for your child.”

    “We always have to be on guard when it comes to our rights,” Lina Petra Thorarinsdottir, 45, told AFP.

    “In Iceland we are proud of what we have accomplished and I am thankful for the women that came before us,” said Thorarinsdottir, head of tourism at marketing group Business Iceland.

    But she said would continue to protest until women enjoyed “equal rights in full”.

    The strikers also wanted their protest to raise awareness of gender-based violence.

    “We still see that up to 40 percent of women have experienced some form of violence or will experience some form of violence in their lifetime,” Thorarinsdottir said.

    “The strike is for both equality when it comes to paid and unpaid work, it also has to do with violence against women and non-binary people,” she said.

    Fjola Helgadottir, a 41-year-old nurse, was unable to take part in Tuesday’s strike action.

    “I would have liked to participate in today’s protest but because we work in the children’s emergency room, we have to provide that service,” she told AFP.

    “The cause is extremely important.”

  • Toyota car prices reduced by up to Rs1.3 million in Pakistan

    Toyota car prices reduced by up to Rs1.3 million in Pakistan

    Indus Motor Company, the leading assembler of Toyota-brand vehicles in Pakistan, has made a significant move to benefit its customers. 

    In a recent announcement sent to its dealers on Tuesday, the company revealed a substantial reduction in car prices, effective October 24. This decision was prompted by the recent strengthening of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar.

    Following this development, the basic Yaris model 1.3MT LO is now more affordable, with a price decrease of Rs100,000, or 2.2 per cent, bringing its new price to Rs4.399 million. 

    Similarly, the top variant, 1.5 CVT Aero, will now be available at Rs5.849 million after a reduction of Rs120,000. 

    The Toyota Corolla’s variant prices have been reduced between Rs200,000 and Rs250,000. Furthermore, Toyota’s pickup Revotrucks are now more budget-friendly, with price reductions ranging from Rs450,000 to Rs790,000.

    One of the most notable changes is seen in the Fortuner G4x2 Petrol STD, which will now be priced at Rs14.499 million after a substantial reduction of Rs1.31 million, or 8.3 per cent.

    This price adjustment follows the footsteps of other major players in the industry, including MG Motors and Lucky Motor Corporation (LMC), both of which have also announced price reductions for their vehicles.

    The automobile sector in Pakistan has faced challenges recently, mainly due to fluctuating exchange rates and restrictions on imports. 

    The rupee experienced a significant depreciation against the dollar, reaching a record low of Rs307.1 on September 5. 

    However, it has since recovered, stabilising around the Rs279–280 level. This positive trend aligns with the efforts of the caretaker government, which took measures against smugglers and hoarders, contributing to the currency’s recovery.

    Apart from currency fluctuations, the auto sector was affected by previous government policies, including import restrictions aimed at preserving foreign exchange reserves. 

    Additionally, higher finance costs and a considerable rise in car prices led to a decrease in consumer demand. In the first quarter of FY24, car sales in Pakistan plummeted to 20,983 units, marking a 40 per cent decline compared to the same period the previous year.

    Here are the latest prices of all Toyota cars in Pakistan:

    Car ModelVariantOld Price (Rs.)New Price (Rs.)Price Reduction (Rs.)
    Yaris1.3 MT LO4,499,0004,399,000100,000
     1.3 CVT LO4,789,0004,689,000100,000
     1.3 MT Hi4,759,0004,659,000100,000
     1.3 CVT Hi4,999,0004,899,000100,000
     1.3 CVT Aero5,199,0005,099,000100,000
     1.5 MT5,429,0005,309,000120,000
     1.5 CVT5,769,0005,649,000120,000
     1.5 CVT Aero5,969,0005,849,000120,000
    Corolla1.6 MT6,169,0005,969,000200,000
     1.6 CVT6,769,0006,559,000210,000
     1.6 CVT SR7,429,0007,189,000240,000
     1.8 CVT7,119,0006,889,000230,000
     1.8 CVT SR7,759,0007,509,000250,000
     1.8 CVT SR BLK7,799,0007,549,000250,000
    Hilux RevoE11,439,00011,039,000400,000
     G12,409,00011,959,000450,000
     G13,019,00012,549,000470,000
     V AT 2.814,389,00013,849,000540,000
     V AT Rocco15,179,00014,419,000760,000
     GR S16,149,00015,359,000790,000
    Fortuner2.7 G Petrol15,809,00014,499,0001,310,000
     2.7 V Petrol18,099,00016,999,0001,100,000
     2.8 Sigma 5 Diesel19,079,00017,999,0001,080,000
     Legender Diesel20,129,00018,999,0001,130,000
     GRS21,089,00019,899,0001,190,000

  • More than 2,000 children have been killed in Israeli air strikes since Oct 7: What do we know about day 18

    More than 2,000 children have been killed in Israeli air strikes since Oct 7: What do we know about day 18

    704 Palestinians killed in last 24 hours

    The health ministry in the besieged enclave reports that Israeli attacks in the last 24 hours have killed 704 in Gaza.

    More than 19,000 displaced in Lebanon after border clashes

    The Israel-Palestine escalation has spread beyond borders. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported the displacement of 19,646 people while the United Nations has also estimated that more than 19,000 have been internally displaced in Lebanon after October 7 amid cross-border attacks.

    Friction between Hezbollah and the Israeli military is also feared to escalate.

    Killing of children

    Among the 5,087 people killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, more than 2,000 of them are children, the health ministry in the besieged enclave states.

    Between Sunday and Monday alone, 182 children were killed among the total of 436 Palestinians.

    Six more UN staff killed in Israeli bombing

    The UN Relief and Works Agency has lost six more staff members in Israeli bombing of Gaza, taking the death toll to 35.

    Occupied West Bank

    96 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank by Israeli forces since October 7 and settlers while at least 1,800 have been wounded.

    Israel claims to have detained 500 Palestinians, allegedly linked to Hamas.

    Similarly, almost 1,500 people are trapped under the rubble in Gaza and rescue teams are unable to rescue all as Israel continues to target medical teams while authorities lack necessary equipment.

    Gaza not receiving enough relief supplies

    According to the UN, only 54 trucks with relief supplies have been allowed into Gaza since Saturday.

    Tamara al-Rifai, communications chief of the United Nations Palestine refugee relief agency UNRWA, deemed it as a drop in the ocean.

    He also highlights that fuel for generators has not been sent in the shipments whereas rice and lentils delivered cannot be cooked without the water and gas which are needed for cooking.

    Obama on Israel

    Former President Obama issued a new statement on Israel-Palestine escalation.

    In his statement, Obama condemns the October 7 attacks launched by Hamas, calling it an “unspeakable brutality” and supports Israel’s right to defend itself but under “international law.”

    “But even as we support Israel, we should also be clear that how Israel prosecutes this fight against Hamas matters. In particular, it matters — as President Biden has repeatedly emphasized — that Israel’s military strategy abides by international law, including those laws that seek to avoid, to every extent possible, the death or suffering of civilian populations,” Obama wrote.

    Obama also warns that blocking supplies into Gaza can put support for Israel at risk.

    “The Israeli government’s decision to cut off food, water and electricity to a captive civilian population threatens not only to worsen a growing humanitarian crisis; it could further harden Palestinian attitudes for generations, erode global support for Israel, play into the hands of Israel’s enemies, and undermine long term efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region,” he wrote.

    Obama further stresses on dismissing antisemitic, anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian narratives. And while he believes that Israel has “every right to exist,” he also notes that Palestinians have “also lived in disputed territories for generations.”

    “But if we care about keeping open the possibility of peace, security and dignity for future generations of Israeli and Palestinian children — as well as for our own children — then it falls upon all of us to at least make the effort to model, in our own words and actions, the kind of world we want them to inherit,” he concluded.

    Macron arrives in Israel on ‘solidarity’ visit

    The French president Emmaneul Macron also paid a visit to Tel Aviv to “express” France’s “solidarity” with Israel.

    Referring to October 7 attacks by Hamas, the President stated that “what happened will never be forgotten.”

    On the other hand, Israeli President Isaac Herzog asserts that his country is committed to “destroying” its adversaries, adding that, “We demand the immediate release of all our citizens,”

    Shedding light on Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah, he stated that “We are following very closely the situation,”, adding that Lebanon was “playing with fire”.

    “If Hezbollah drags us into a war it should be clear that Lebanon will pay the price”.

    Credits: Al Jazeera

  • Pakistan’s struggle continues on World Polio Day with four cases in 2023

    Pakistan’s struggle continues on World Polio Day with four cases in 2023

    October 23 marks the date when the world celebrates World Polio Day. Unfortunately, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries which have not been able to get rid of the virus completely.

    This year, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has pledged to “Make Polio History”.

    Sadly, the news of sewer samples being found in different cities of the world keep surfacing more often than usual. Statistics reveal that a total of four cases have been reported in the year 2023 while 11 new samples have been detected in seven new cities of Pakistan.

    The most recent is the discovery of a two-year-old infected with the virus in the union council of Gujro, North-East Karachi. It’s the first case reported in the city since June this year. Before that, a case was confirmed in Landhi.

    Head of the Polio Eradication Programme in Punjab, Khizer Afzaal, on Monday pronounced Punjab-the country’s biggest province-to be polio-free for the last three years. He simultaneously cautioned about the looming threat that is evident after the identification of genomic samples of virus in different districts of Rawalpindi and Lahore.

    It is important to understand that along with immunisation, sanitation is equally a part of thwarting the paralysis of children from polio. Experts have stressed the absolute need of a proper sewage system which serves as the breeding ground of this virus and impair the kids for life.

    Aggressive measures, awareness campaigns and prioritisation can clear out the black spot from Pakistan’s name.

  • All ‘good news’ for Nawaz Sharif

    All ‘good news’ for Nawaz Sharif

    Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s legal battles continued as the accountability court in Islamabad undertook the hearing of the Toshakhana reference today. The proceedings, overseen by Judge Muhammad Bashir, saw significant developments and stringent security measures.

    Rana Muhammad Irfan, the designated pleader, was present at the court. The lawyer representing Nawaz assured the court of his client’s compliance with any orders issued by the court. The judge subsequently postponed the Toshakhana reference hearing until November 20, calling for arguments on the appeal concerning property confiscation.

    Additionally, the judge honored the request made by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor to suspend Nawaz’s warrant in the case.

    The court made it clear that copies of relevant documents would be distributed during the upcoming session, while also issuing a notice to the NAB regarding the property confiscation request.

    Ahead of the hearing, strict security protocols were observed, with a bomb disposal squad conducting a thorough sweep of the courtroom premises. The Federal Judicial Complex in Islamabad was heavily guarded by police, allowing only relevant legal representatives and journalists to access the accountability court.

    Notably, the case also involves Pakistan People’s Party Co-chairman Asif Zardari and former Prime Minister, Senator Yusuf Raza, Gilani as co-accused.

    Nawaz’s legal representative, Qazi Misbah, filed several applications on his behalf, including the restoration of annexed property, the appointment of a pleader, and the submission of bail bonds.

    Meanwhile, Asif Zardari’s lawyer and senior PPP leader Farooq H Naek sought an exemption from attending the hearing on his client’s behalf.

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) extended Nawaz’s bail pleas in the Al-Azizia and Avenfield references till October 26 (Thursday), after issuing notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) over the pleas seeking restoration of appeals in the graft cases.

    A special bench headed by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Gul Hassan Aurangzeb had taken up the pleas seeking restoration of appeals against the accountability courts’ verdicts in the graft cases.

    The high court had granted protective bail to the three-time prime minister — who returned to Pakistan after four-years-long self-imposed exile on Saturday — prohibiting his arrest in the case.

    The anti-graft body had not objected to Nawaz getting the security bond.

    His counsel filed the petitions, requesting the court to hear the appeals on merit as earlier they were discarded for non-compliance when the PML-N supremo did not return from London after he was granted permission by the court in November 2019 to go abroad for medical treatment.

  • Court rejects Khan’s intra-court appeal against jail trial

    Court rejects Khan’s intra-court appeal against jail trial

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s intra-court appeal against jail trial in the cipher case got rejected by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday.

    A two-member IHC bench heard the case.

    PTI chief’s counsel Salman Akram Raja contended before the bench that the federal government did not have the authority to issue a notification for holding Khan’s trial in prison.
    Raja told the court that the federal government has no power to issue a notification for conducting Imran Khan’s trial in jail.

    The lawyer further stated before the court that issuing a notification is the responsibility of Islamabad commissioner, adding that a single bench of IHC had decided in favour of the federal government that it could appoint a judge of its choice.

    “They are judicial officers. The federal government does not have any authority to ‘pick and choose’ [judges],” he added.

  • COAS Gen Asim Munir meets Ambassador of Palestine

    COAS Gen Asim Munir meets Ambassador of Palestine

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir met the Ambassador of Palestine to Pakistan, Ahmad Jawad Rabei, at General Headquarters today.

    COAS offered his condolences on the loss of Palestinian lives in the ongoing war Israel has declared on Gaza.

    According to the official statement, “COAS expressed grave concern over unabated violence and willful, indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians by the Israeli Defence Forces in the war. Incessant attacks on civilian population, schools, universities, aid workers, hospitals and the forced exodus of Palestinians from Gaza are manifest crimes against humanity.”

    He also reasserted the need to call for immediate cessation of hostilities, open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza, protect civilians and adhere to the International Humanitarian Law.

    COAS also highlighted Pakistan’s “principled support for an independent, viable and contiguous state of Palestine established on the basis of pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital”.

    “Pakistan believes that the fresh spate of violence in Gaza is the result of unabated repression, continued human rights violations and state-sponsored sacrilege of Al Aqsa mosque. Conflating this war with terrorism would be naïve; taking a narrow and self-serving view of the issue as an isolated attack, obscures brutal oppression spanning decades that has led to this outcome” he said.

    “At this critical juncture, it is imperative that the international community mobilizes to put an early end to unfolding human tragedy due to disproportionate and unlawful use of force by Israeli Defence Forces and desist from encouraging them to continue perpetrating atrocities in manifest violation of all norms of civility and humane conduct”.

  • Mariam Ansari talks about ‘mental breakdown’ after social media backlash

    Mariam Ansari talks about ‘mental breakdown’ after social media backlash

    Mariam Ansari gave an interview to BBC Urdu titled “How to deal with body shaming and negative comments during pregnancy” which featured interviews from several women on how they dealt with bullying during pregnancy.

    The actress opened up about the backlash she recieved for her a pregnancy photoshoot. Ansari and her husband did a photoshoot to reveal the birth of their baby daughter Amaya Khan. Trolls then shamed her for openly displaying her baby bump. Mariam shut down the comments in a video clip posted on Instagram stories by expressing her outrage:

    “It’s my profile; my choice. I’ve even had my child. It’s my choice whatever I post. If you don’t like it, you shouldn’t follow me. I don’t understand, since when is being pregnant some sort of badtameezi or behayai. You too were born just like this, so what?”

    READ MORE: Mariam Ansari is not okay with holier-than-thou comments on her pregnancy shoot

    Ansari told BBC Urdu the comments demoralised her:

    “There are a lot of comments slamming me by saying this was western culture, to which I responded don’t Muslim women have babies..it felt like the happiest moment of my life was turned into something shameful.”

    She eventually had to deactivate her Instagram account because of hateful comments she recieved.

    “I broke down emotionally. I became very vulnerable,” the actress recalled.

  • Imam-ul-Haq set to tie the knot after World Cup

    Imam-ul-Haq set to tie the knot after World Cup

    Cricketer Imam-ul-Haq is set to tie the knot soon.

    The Pakistani batsman is going to marry a Norwegian girl on November 25, according to Geo Super. The wedding festivities will begin in Lahore on November 23 and will include a Qawwali night. The Nikkah will take place on November 25, while the Valima will be held on the next day.

    Prominent members of the cricket team including Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan will attend the wedding.

    Pakistan currently is facing a series of defeats in the World Cup after losing to Afghanistan in Chennai, and previously to India and Australia.