Author: News Desk

  • Tomb presumed to be from era of Jesus excavated in Naples

    Tomb presumed to be from era of Jesus excavated in Naples

    A sealed tomb, presumed to be more than two thousand years old, has been discovered in the municipality of Giugliano in Campania, near Naples, Italy.

    Large murals known as frescos, found by the Italian Ministry of Culture, had creatures from Greek mythology including Cerberus-the hound called the God of the underworld. The tomb has been named the ‘Tomb of Cerberus’.

    It is believed that the tomb, discovered in a remarkable state of preservation, belonged to a wealthy person considering the grandeur of frescos and the tomb.

    In a statement released by the superintendent of archeology, fine arts and landscape, it is said that, “The territory of Giugliano, after years of oblivion, is finally returning significant vestiges of its glorious past, to be preserved and protected, thanks to a common effort.”

    The discovery of the tomb has opened doors to peek into the lives of ancient Romans and the art and culture they once cherished.

  • VIDEO: Abdullah Shafiq’s singing video breaking the internet

    VIDEO: Abdullah Shafiq’s singing video breaking the internet

    Pakistani Cricket team opener Abdullah Shafiq scored a century in Tuesday’s match against Sri Lanka. Now a video is going viral on social media in which Abdullah Shafiq is seen singing a song, ‘Tera yaqeen kiyun menay kiya nahin,’ while playing a guitar.

    He posted this video on social media platform X on July 26, 2020.

    The video is now getting crazy reactions from X (Twitter) users.

    Here are some of the best ones:

  • Imran Khan seeks suspension of cipher case trial

    Imran Khan seeks suspension of cipher case trial

    Imran Khan, the incarcerated Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has taken legal action against an upcoming indictment in a cipher case, filing a petition on Wednesday in the Islamabad High Court, contesting a trial court’s decision to charge him and party Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

    IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq heard the case, as the court merged the case with the plea seeking dismissal of the cipher case.

    The trial is scheduled for October 17, however, Khan claims that the relevant documents were not handed over to his defense counsel, despite the trial court’s order suggesting otherwise.

    Khan has also sought bail in two cases filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). These cases involve the Toshakhana case and allegations of corruption involving millions of pounds.

    Khan’s bail plea was previously dismissed by the Accountability Court due to his inability to appear in court. The petitions state that Khan’s detention in Attock Jail prevented him from attending court proceedings, asserting that his absence was not intentional.

    In a related development, the Special Court (Official Secrets Act) distributed copies of the investigation report to Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi during a hearing held on October 9.

    This move precedes their impending indictment. Notably, PTI lawyers have requested that the trial not be held in camera due to the small size of the prison court.

    Shah Mehmood Qureshi has submitted a petition to challenge a notification from the Law Ministry regarding the trial’s location at Adiala Jail. The court has ordered the ministry to explain its decision.

    Copies of the investigation report will be provided to the suspects, contingent on the Islamabad High Court’s decision. The court directed the suspects to sign the copies, but Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi have refused to do so.

    Special court judge Abul Hasnat Zulqernain visited Adiala Jail to solve the problems allegedly being faced by PTI Chairman Imran Khan. The court ordered the demolition of the wall erected in front of Imran Khan’s cell.

    According to the jail superintendent, the PTI chief has been provided a place to walk, adding that he has requested further extension of his cell despite adequate space.

    Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi will be indicted in the case on October 17, said Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqernain.

  • 40% children in Pakistan suffer from malnutrition

    40% children in Pakistan suffer from malnutrition

    A recent report by the World Bank has revealed that 40 per cent of children in Pakistan are suffering from food insecurity, adding that most children under the age of five do not have access to clean water and do not have toilet facilities.

    The report also highlights the significance of the first 1000 days after birth that are very important for the mental health of the child because 80 per cent of the child’s mind is formed during this period.

    45 per cent of the Pakistani children who die under five years of age are due to lack of food.

    Additionally, while many children are raised with livestock animals, those who are malnutritioned consume dirt containing livestock waste.

    The World Bank report also reveals that about 50 per cent of the drinking water of Sindh contains bacteria while mothers working with livestock feed their children without washing their hands due to lack of hygiene.

    The World Bank said that comprehensive data on child malnutrition in Pakistan needs to be collected, and programs on child nutrition need to start on an urgent basis.

  • Vistara Airlines has sweet surprise for Pakistan team

    Vistara Airlines has sweet surprise for Pakistan team

    Pakistan cricket team has departed from Hyderabad for Ahmedabad to play a match against India on October 14.

    During the flight, Pakistani team members were offered a surprise cake by the flight crew, in celebration of their highest run chase record against Sri Lanka. The Pakistani team was given a grand welcome at the hotel on arrival at Ahmedabad, with players being presented with traditional shawls.

  • Karachi’s Mangroves, vital for the city, are depleting, Senate Committee told

    Karachi’s Mangroves, vital for the city, are depleting, Senate Committee told

    In the wake of an incident of deforestation being reported in the Mangrove forest of Manora, Karachi, the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change headed by Senator Seeme Ezdi paid a visit to the WWF-P Wetland Centre at Hawke’s Bay. The delegation included Senator Muhammad Humayun Mohmand, Senator Khalida Ateeb, Senator Abida Muhammad Azeem, and Senator Keshubai.

    Committee members were briefed by WWF-P Director Hammad Naqi Khan and Chief Conservator of Forests Riaz Ahmed Wagan on the efforts made for rehabilitation and conservation of the mangrove forests along the coastline.

    Mangroves are the biggest source of preventing climate vulnerability of Pakistan in form of tsunami, cyclones and storms.

    The committee was told that the forest cover in the Indus Delta that was reduced to less than 86,000 hectares in 2005 has now increased to over 2,40,000 hectares in 2023.

    On the other hand, the mangroves around Karachi have reduced from 2,000 hectares in 2010 to 18,00 hectares today, with housing and commercial enterprises encroaching on the land.

    However, the aim is to increase the area to 5,00,000 hectares in coming years.

    Senior Manager Conservation WWF Sindh Altaf Sheikh delineated the committee about different programmes in Pakistan which include ongoing work on 18 different landscapes from mountains to mangroves. The Indus Delta being the fifth largest arid ecosystem hosts the seventh largest mangrove forest in the world contributing 98 percent of shrimp catch and more than 77 percent of marine fish.

    Major challenges include sea intrusion and soil erosion amplified by deforestation resulting in the severe loss of biodiversity too.

    The senators also highlighted the importance of mangroves by talking about the financial and environmental significance. A single hector can earn thousands of dollars and carbon credits which are more crucial and is already standing on a steady number of $40 million.

  • Siraiki folk singer Sharaft Ali dies in car crash with six others

    Siraiki folk singer Sharaft Ali dies in car crash with six others

    Siraiki singer Sharafat Ali has passed away in a car crash on previous night while six people have also died in the accident.

    According to rescue sources, the accident took place at Pakka Ghanjira area of Mianwali, where the singer’s vehicle went out of control and plunged into a canal, resulting in the death of seven people including folk singer Sharaft Ali.

    Read More: Does Namjoon have a girlfriend? BTS member addresses rumour

    Sources say that the singer was returning home after attending a wedding ceremony. It is not known as yet who the other six people were.

  • ‘Reach out’: on Mental Health Day, celebrities are opening up about prioritising mental health

    ‘Reach out’: on Mental Health Day, celebrities are opening up about prioritising mental health

    International Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10, when people are encouraged to take steps to take care of their mental well-being. Celebrities like Mawra Hocane and Bollywood director Karan Johar are opening up about their mental health issues and encouraged other people to destroy the stigma that it’s a sign of weakness.

    Actress Mawra Hocane shared a video clip on her Instagram of pictures from her childhood to present, and spoke candidly about how she spent three years trying to take care of her mental health.

    “I have spent the last three years of my life focusing on this little girl.. she needed to heal.. to rest.. to be with herself.. to walk away from the noise & the lights.. find that light within instead.. to work just enough for joy & not find validation in exhaustion… most importantly she wanted to be ‘home’ & home she was after many many many years..”

    The ‘Nauroz’ actress urged her followers to never be afraid to reach out for help, and remember to listen to their body to know when it’s time for them to take a break.

    “Don’t shy away for making yourself a priority, if 2020 taught me anything, it was to not ignore my inner voice, to listen to my body, to chase happiness & nothing else because at the end of the day it’s all that matters..
    Sending love & strength to those who still suffer in silence.”

    ‘Rocky and Rani’ director Karan Johar also took time out to speak about the anxiety attacks he suffered in 2016. In March, the director wrote that his anxiety attacks came back and he knew immediately how to address them.

    “In 2015-2016 I felt the first burst of anxiety and knew within that something was wrong… my friend guided me to a psychologist and after a series of conversations I knew what I was dealing with and adressed it medically and with a change of lifestyle…. Things got better and I weaned off the meds … This year in March this year ( I knew the trigger ) it returned and I knew I had to address it immediately….”

    The K3G director urged followers to take time out to address their mental health the same way they would respond to a physical ailment, and never be afraid to take a break from life and seek professional help if they’re suffering from depression or anxiety.

    “For someone who does battle anxiety or depression “simple solutions like “ … go for a drive !!! Meet friends !! Go for a holiday …. Get a massage … these are red flag conversations to have and you must be educated enough in this zone to even offer advice…
    To family members my advice is simply to make sure that the person going through it seeks professional help…
    We tend to address blood pressure , diabetes , etc with so much instant ease then why neglect mental health….
    More power to those brave ones who acknowledge the issue and address it head on…”

  • ICC shuts down Indian journalist criticising Muhammad Rizwan’s Gaza tweet

    ICC shuts down Indian journalist criticising Muhammad Rizwan’s Gaza tweet

    After the match against Sri Lanka, Mohammad Rizwan issued a statement on social media, stating, “This victory is for our brothers and sisters in Gaza,” along with a prayer emoji.

    Indian sports journalist Vikrant Gupta did not like Rizwan’s tweet and he questioned the ICC. Vikrant Gupta shared Rizwan’s statement on social media and wrote, “Isn’t cricketers banned from making political and religious statements during ICC events? I remember Mahendra Singh Dhoni was asked to remove the Army emblem from his gloves during the 2019 World Cup.”

    He asked the ICC whether Rizwan was allowed to say what he did.

    ICC shut down his question with a simple reply: “It is outside the field of play and the jurisdiction of the ICC. It is up to the individual and their board how they want to use their individual platforms,” the ICC wrote.

    It is also worth mentioning here that while many Indian users, including Indian journalists, criticized Rizwan, Pakistani fans appreciated Rizwan’s tweet..

    Here are fan reactions on X:

  • Karachi’s Regent Plaza to be purchased by SIUT for Rs14.5 billion

    Karachi’s Regent Plaza to be purchased by SIUT for Rs14.5 billion

    Karachi’s iconic landmark, the Regent Plaza hotel on Shahrah-e-Faisal, owned by Pakistan Hotels Developers Limited (PHDL) might be changing ownership.

    On October 9, Pakistan Stock Exchange received an offer letter of Rs14.5bn (almost $52 million) by the prestigious Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) which aims to convert the 47,00 square feet built structure into a tertiary healthcare facility within a period of an year. The letter was then delivered to PHDL on October 10. In response to it, a meeting of the Board of Directors was called urgently for October 12.

    To put things in context, renowned financial wizard Shabbar Zaidi expressed, “Karachi badly needs another tertiary-care health facility and constructing a large health facility by acquiring land would take years. In these circumstances, it is the best option to acquire a built structure in the heart of the city and convert it into a health facility.”

    The noble cause of SIUT was founded by Dr. Syed Adibul Hassan Rizvi nearly four decades ago with an eight-bed ward in the Burns Unit of Karachi Civil Hospital. It has expedited its projects from organ transplant surgeries to areas of research in urology and nephrology. The hospital has been run through charity funds and provides financial and medical support to patients.

    Deliberation between the two parties has been going on since the mid of September but was not announced formally earlier. It is because in the first nine months of 2022-23, PHDL reported a net profit of Rs45.5 million, i.e. a 38.3 per cent decrease from the previous year. The occupancy rate of this 400 room space has dropped from 20 per cent for the year 2021-22 to 9 per cent in the previous year. The downward spiral can be credited to Covid-19 but has put the owners in a position to think otherwise of the property.