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Author: News Desk

  • Twitter(X) is not happy with EU’s letter to Elon Musk

    Twitter(X) is not happy with EU’s letter to Elon Musk

    On October 10, Commissioner European Union Thierry Breton, the face of Digital Service Act (DSA), called out Elon Musk for his platform X allegedly allowing the dissemination of “illegal content and disinformation in the EU.” He gave Elon a period of 24 hours to respond.

    Elon was quick to respond and it was sharp and crisp. “Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports.”

    He goes on to add, “Please list the violations you allude to on X, so that that the public can see them.”

    Among hundreds of reactions underneath this exchange, users questioned the credibility and commitment of the EU to ensure freedom of expression.

    One user points out that the intention behind the letter is to engage in “populism and propaganda”.

    Another points out the need to not be dictated.

    One highlights the hypocrisy of the statement.

    Other people were reminded of the autocratic government of Russia and the Thought Police of George Orwell’s 1984.

    Another posed the question directly, You would like to censor Palestinian users like Meta (Facebook) does, wouldn’t you?

    As per the sweeping rule book of DSA, the EU Commission can fine social media platforms up to 6 percent of their global turnover or, in extreme cases, block a site entirely from the EU.

    According to an article by WIRED, legal experts say that there are no immediate consequences and there is no obligation on the platform to respond. They are characterizing it as a “misstep” by Breton while the political leadership sees it as a publicity stunt.

    On the other hand, CEO of , Linda Yaccarino has already confirmed that it has “identified and removed hundreds of Hamas-affiliated accounts”.

  • International Journalists visit Jaranwala on the invitation of Mohsin Naqvi

    International Journalists visit Jaranwala on the invitation of Mohsin Naqvi

    The Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, invited international journalists to Jaranwala on Thursday. The small town near Faisalabad was the site of a riot in August in which armed mobs burnt the homes and churches of the Christian community.

    The visit aimed to provide the journalists with an opportunity to observe the administration’s endeavors in assisting the Christian families impacted by the tragic events of August 18.
    Faisalabad Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Nayar Sheikh and CPO Muhammad Ali Zia provided an overview of the efforts undertaken to support the affected families, the process of restoring churches, and the transfer of churches to the administration.
    Journalists learned that each impacted household received a financial grant of Rs2 million and had the damaged electricity and gas meters in their homes replaced.
    Christian students were able to return to their educational institutions after receiving support in the form of school bags, textbooks, uniforms, and writing materials. Additionally, jobless workers from the private industrial sector were successfully rehired with the cooperation of their employers.

    The visiting media reporters included representatives from the Washington Post, BBC, AFP, Arab News, Russia Today, and bureau chiefs of different international news agencies in Islamabad.

  • After consecutive defeats in World Cup, former Australian captains lash out at team

    After consecutive defeats in World Cup, former Australian captains lash out at team

    Australia lost its first match of World Cup 2023 against India by six wickets, and then lost their second match against South Africa by a massive margin of 134 runs.

    After the second consecutive defeat, former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke said that the strategy of the team in the World Cup is beyond comprehension. “Australia has prepared terribly for the World Cup,” he said.

    Calling it “incomprehensible” to field Josh Ingles instead of Alex Carey, Clarke asked if the latter was responsible for the defeat against India. “I don’t know what the positives are so far. How can you take Alex Carey to the World Cup? If you have taken it, then why did you drop him after one match?”

    Read More: VIDEO: Abdullah Shafiq’s singing video breaking the internet

    Firmly stating that he was not disrespecting Josh Ingles, Clarke said, “I don’t know him but I’ve heard he’s talented. Josh Ingles wasn’t good behind the wickets. He couldn’t even bat. I think Pat Cummins is better for captaincy.”

    On the other hand, former captain Mark Taylor said that Australia’s strategy has not been aggressive, adding that the team is waiting for the opportunity and not trying to get the opportunity. “In Asian conditions, you have to kill to get the batsmen out. If your approach is defensive, think of saving boundaries, then so many boundaries will be scored.

  • Who are the celebrities siding with Israel as onslaught on Gaza continues?

    Who are the celebrities siding with Israel as onslaught on Gaza continues?

    The bombing on Palestine continues with latest reports showing that more than 5,600 Palestinians have died in Gaza at Israel’s hands. In these past few days, many celebrities have voiced their support for Israel, some of them using misinformation as justification for the bombardment of civilians. Social media users have expressed outrage on the way the slaughter of Palestinians is being shown as a positive thing rather than a war crime.

    Here are all the public faces who have so far expressed their support for Israel.

    More than 700 Hollywood entertainers have signed an open letter with Creative Community For Peace (CCFP) voicing their support for Israel as the bombing of Gaza continues. This included former IDF soldier and actress Gal Gadot, comedian Amy Schumer, actors Chris Pine, Mark Hamil and Debra Messing.

    The letter described the war as “terrorism. This is evil. There is no justification or rationalization for Hamas’ actions.”

    The letter ended by urging on other members of the entertainment industry “to speak out forcefully against Hamas and do whatever is in their power to urge the terrorist organization to return the innocent hostages to their families.”

    ‘Stranger Things’ actor Noah Schnapp released a statement that riled up social media.

    Kim Kardashian shared a statement on her Instagram account expressing her support for Israel.

    Harry Potter writer J.K Rowling shared a video clip of journalists claiming the Hamas had beheaded 40 babies from Israel with the caption: “Now let the snivelling apologists for rape, murder and torture explain how this, too, was justified.”

    Since then, the news has since then been debunked by journalists, as well as the IDF who said no such confirmation was given by them. However, Rowling has not taken down her post.

    Jamie Lee Curtis shared and then deleted a picture of children looking up at the sky in terror, along with the Israeli flag in the caption. This picture is actually from war-torn buildings in Gaza.

    Justin Bieber shared a picture of war-torn Gaza with the caption ‘Pray for Israel’ on his Instagram stories, and twitter users criticised him for spreading misinformation.

  • Court restricts political parties from holding rallies at Liberty roundabout

    Court restricts political parties from holding rallies at Liberty roundabout

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to submit a new request for organizing a rally at a different site, rather than Liberty Chowk, the originally proposed location by PTI.
    The court’s verdict came in response to PTI’s appeal seeking authorization to hold a rally at Liberty Chowk. Nevertheless, the Lahore High Court has denied permission for the rally to take place at the Liberty roundabout.

    Justice Raheel Kamran stated that if the PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) fails to obtain approval for an alternative rally venue, no political party will be allowed to hold a rally.
    He granted PTI a 72-hour period to secure permission for the new location.
    The decision to decline permission for the rally at Liberty Chowk is rooted in security apprehensions, considering the events that transpired on May 9.

  • Donald Trump thinks Hezbollah is ‘very smart’

    Donald Trump thinks Hezbollah is ‘very smart’

    While lambasting Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu, former President of the United States of America, Donald Trump appreciated Hezbollah for being “very smart”. While speaking to a rally of supporters in Florida, Trump did not hold back and even called the Israeli Defence Minister a “jerk” for stating on national TV that he hopes they don’t attack from the North because they did the following morning. He said that these “statements are passed when you’re doing a con-job and fully prepared but in actual you were not. Israel was not prepared.”

    Earlier he claimed to have read Biden’s security papers where it was mentioned that he hopes Hezbolllah does not attack from the North because that is the most vulnerable spot. He praises the group’s intelligence that they (Hezbollah) are all very smart and they know the weak-spots.

    He carried on by accusing Iran of being a potentially big, vicious force that Israel is fighting and he advised the latter to straighten themselves up.

    He reminisced about the time he was disappointed by Israel when Netanyahu let them (USA) down while countering Iran-hinting at the target killing of General Qasim Sulemani-he still wants Israel to get it right this time.

    Trump’s criticism of Biden is not a surprise but in his interview to Fox News he asserted that, “We have to protect Israel, there’s no choice.” He goes on by saying “He(Netanyahu) is hurt very badly, he was not prepared and Israel was not prepared. And under Trump they wouldn’t have to be prepared…”

    His statements have invited a lot of criticism from various fronts. “[I]t is absurd that anyone, much less someone running for President, would choose now to attack our friend and ally, Israel, much less praise Hezbollah terrorists as ‘very smart,’” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

    White House called these statements as “dangerous and unhinged.”

    Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie called Trump “a fool” for his remarks on Hezbollah and Netanyahu.

    This has infuriated people and Trump knows it when he said that the media comes at him for calling President XI of China “smart” too but he remarks nonchalantly, that he “gotta say” what he has to say.

  • Peshawar students protest after schoolmate shot dead by robbers

    Peshawar students protest after schoolmate shot dead by robbers

    On Thursday, students from Edward College, Peshawar, gathered to protest against the murder of their fellow student who was killed in broad daylight on Wednesday.

    The 17-year-old student, Hasan Tariq, was on his way home after school in a rickshaw when two robbers stopped him and asked for his phone. Tariq, however, resisted, so they shot him on the spot.

    Dawn reported that the incident took place in the red zone area which encapsulates the provincial assembly, Peshawar High Court, Corps Commander House, Governor’s House and other government offices.

    The students demonstrated outside Peshawar Press Club, had closed Saddar Road for the time being, while some protested outside the provincial assembly.

    The young protesters held placards, chanted slogans, and raised concerns about the increasing crime rate in Peshawar. They also condemned the police administration and called for justice for their school-mate.

    Tariq’s parents were also present at the demonstration.

    Caretaker Chief Minister Mohammad Azam Khan has taken notice of the incident.

    According to a statement, he ordered suspension of the relevant station house officer and directed the police chief to submit a report into the student’s killing.

    “Those involved in the murder will be arrested and brought to justice,” Khan stated.

    Simultaneously, the caretaker minister for information, Feroze Jamal Shah Kakakhel, visited the Manga Dargai area of Charsadda district, the native village of Hasan Tariq.

    He also visited Edwards College and met with Principal Shujaat Ali Khan and other faculty members.

  • Israel paying YouTube to put false news in children’s videos

    Israel paying YouTube to put false news in children’s videos

    As the genocide of Palestine’s continues to go on, Israel is now paying streaming platforms to put out misinformation on children’s content. Journalist Ahmed Eldin shared a clip on his Instagram account of a children’s animated video on YouTube. Before the video starts, a message pops up on screen giving parents misinformation about the conflict.

    “Israel has dropped 6,000 bombs on Gaza, killing more than 500 innocent children. And they paying to brainwash kids and parents into believing they are somehow justified in this war crime,” writes Ahmed. “International law is clear, a war crime doesn’t justify another war crime.”

    The news of Hamas beheading 40 babies was debunked by several international journalists and the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) itself.

    Read more: Did Hamas actually decapitate Israeli children and women? No, they did not

  • Nawaz Sharif performs Umrah with son Hussain Nawaz

    Nawaz Sharif performs Umrah with son Hussain Nawaz

    Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head, Nawaz Sharif, who was in London since the last three years in self-imposed exile, performed Umrah in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

    The PML-N supremo travelled from London to Saudi Arabia with his son Hussain Nawaz and close friends, to perform Umrah together.

    Nawaz Sharif will go to Dubai from the Kingdom, where he will stay for three days. After that, the former president will fly to Pakistan on October 21 to address a gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan. He will also explain his agenda to the people of Pakistan for the upcoming general elections.

    Sharif was accompanied on the Saudi visit by his close friend Mian Nasir Janjua, aide Waqar Ahmed, Karim Yousaf, and a few others.

    According to a report filed by Geo News, the flight carrying Nawaz home will be named ‘Umeed-e-Pakistan’. It can carry approximately 150 passengers.

  • Contracts khatam, naukri jaari; 66 KP officials working despite end of tenure

    Contracts khatam, naukri jaari; 66 KP officials working despite end of tenure

    A total of 66 officers of higher rank in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Authority are still serving and being promoted even though their contracts have ended this October, media reports have confirmed.

    These posts include Regional Culture and Tourism Officer, Manager, Additional Directors and Superintendents. As suggested by official documents, the officers of Tourism Corporation were hired for a period of three years in the Tourism Authority although many of them do not have the required educational qualification for the post of Grade 18 and 19.

    Appallingly, 4 of the office bearers are being given charge of three posts each. Moreover, a person serving as a computer operator in Tourism Corporation has been promoted as a Superintendent only in a matter of three years in the Tourism Authority. The superintendent is also given charge of the offices of Assistant Director HR and Admin.

    The degrees of more than 15 officers are still unverified.

    In response to this forgery, DG KPK Culture and Tourism Authority Barkatullah has called for an urgent meeting to sort out the matter of contract and unverified documents of these officers. Even the Secretary Tourism Department has taken notice of this. However, he mentioned that the merger of permanent officers in the Authority is done via the Tourism Act.