n a first for Canada, the country has appointed Amira Elghawaby as the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the development on Thursday in a statement, stating that this was done to improve government efforts in offering advice on policy making or programs to improve the lives of Muslims living in Canada.
“Diversity truly is one of Canada’s greatest strengths, but for many Muslims, Islamophobia is all too familiar. We need to change that. No one in our country should experience hatred because of their faith,” he said.
Trudeau further added that Elghawaby’s position “is an important step in our fight against Islamophobia and hatred in all its forms. I look forward to working with her as we continue building a country where everyone feels safe and respected.”
Elghawaby is a Muslim journalist who is a contributing columnist for the Toronto Star newspaper, and also works at Canadian Race Relations Foundation. She also serves as a board member for the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, a non-profit that tracks the rise of hate crimes committed towards minorities in Canada.
On Twitter, Elghawaby thanked Trudeau and the Canadian government, promising that she would use her platform to ensure that the interests of Canadian Muslims are represented on the national platform.
“It is my honour to serve in this role. I want to thank the Prime Minister of Canada @JustinTrudeau for working to fight Islamophobia and to ensure Canadian institutions from coast to coast to coast are inclusive of Canadian Muslims, and all people.”
“I look forward to meeting with elected officials, policymakers, and community leaders across the country to amplify the voices of Canadian Muslims and work together to fight discrimination and hate in all its forms.”
Author: News Desk
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Canada appoints Amira Elghawaby as the first Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia
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When Michelle Yeoh called Jackie Chan ‘a male chauvinistic pig’
Asian actor Michelle Yeoh is currently basking in the spotlight after being nominated for Best Actress in the 95th Academy Awards for her outstanding performance as Evelyn Quan Wang in Everything Everywhere All at Once. After her Oscar nomination, netizens stumbled upon an old interview wherein she spoke about Jakie Chan.
Chinese superstar Jackie Chan is one of the popular international stars well known for his slapstick acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, and innovative stunts. His fans love to be around him because of his outgoing and warm attitude. However, Michelle Yeoh had a different opinion about him.
In the old interview, Michelle Yeoh straight up began dissing Jackie Chan. She referred to Chan as a “male chauvinistic pig” and was angry over Jackie Chan’s controversial claims and statements. She even spoke some blunt truths for the Rush Hour actor.
When the Malaysian actress appeared on David Letterman’s show, the host-comedian asked her whether it was Jackie that brought her into the world of cinema. She laughed it off and said, “Actually he’s a male chauvinistic pig. Jackie and I are very good friends. I say this to him you know? to his face. He always believes that women should stay at home and cook and don’t do anything and be the victim except for Michelle!”
Michelle Yeoh did not stop there and further stated that Jackie Chan knows that she can kick his butt if he interfered with her too much. “Except for Michelle, now he said because I would kick his butt,” she said.
Yeoh is best known for performing her own stunts in the Hong Kong action films that brought her to fame in the early 1990s. She has appeared in films like Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), Reign of Assassins (2010), Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016), and romantic comedies like Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and Last Christmas (2019).
The Chinese-Malaysian actress was also seen in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021).
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Intraday update: Pakistani rupee drops to Rs268.30, losing more than Rs12 versus US dollar
Pakistani rupee (PKR) continued its downward trend on Friday, with the rupee declining over Rs12 versus the US dollar in the interbank market. The local currency was trading at Rs268.30, compared to yesterday’s close of Rs255.43 in the interbank market.
The dollar has gained Rs30.41 in the interbank market since Thursday as exchange companies removed the dollar cap, a key demand of the IMF as part of a bailout programme agreed upon in 2018.
PKR fell to Rs265 against the US dollar in the open market, a decline of Rs3 compared to the day before.
The removal of the cap on the dollar rate took the currency market by surprise and resulted in extreme volatility. Experts termed it a “much-awaited adjustment” and predicted that it would help in increasing export proceeds and inward remittances through legal banking channels.
The difference in rates between the interbank and open markets owing to the price cap removal, which had widened to Rs15 in recent months, was almost wiped out.
The country’s foreign exchange reserves have depleted to a critical level, falling to $3.678 billion in the week ending January 20. This is not enough to finance even three weeks of imports.
This is a developing story and will be updated after interbank closing.
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Cold snap kills least 160 people in Afghanistan
Afghan authorities have reported on Thursday that more than 160 people have died this month from the cold, as the country goes through the most severe winter season in more than a decade.
Villagers in the country have spoken of their inability to pay for fuel to heat their houses in well-below-freezing conditions.
“162 people have died due to cold weather since January 10 until now,” said Shafiullah Rahimi, a spokesperson for the Minister of Disaster Management.Temperatures have dipped to as low as -34 degrees Celsius (-29.2 degrees Fahrenheit).
Even in the early days of winter, medical specialists noticed a significant increase in the number of young children suffering from severe pneumonia and other respiratory ailments. The ailments are partially attributable to rising poverty, which hinders individuals from appropriately heating their houses.
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Gold price hits all-time high of Rs195,500 per tola after removal of an unofficial dollar cap
Gold prices in Pakistan continued their record-breaking spree as the price of 24-carat gold reached an all-time high of Rs195,500 after gaining Rs4,900.
In addition, the price of 10 grammes also witnessed an increase of Rs4,201 to settle at Rs167,610, according to the All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA).
Moreover, the bullion rate in the international market reached $1,936 after a surge of $11.
The Pakistani rupee (PKR) on Thursday dropped drastically to approach an all-time low, days after exchange companies abolished the cap on the rupee-dollar exchange rate.
The sudden hike in yellow metal prices comes as the weakening rupee pushed investors to the safety of bullion to hedge against intensifying economic turmoil in the country.
On Thursday, the local currency crashed to approach another historic low, as it dropped to Rs255.43 versus the US dollar in the interbank market, sliding Rs24.54 or 9.61 per cent from Wednesday’s close, according to the State Bank of Pakistan.
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Gerard Piqué makes relationship with Clara Chia Marti Instagram official, Shakira fans troll
Athlete Gerard Piqué has been making the headlines ever since he allegedly cheated on his long-time girlfriend and singer Shakira. The ex-couple shares two kids together and their separation has come as a shock to all the fans.
While the Colombian singer released a diss track recently taking digs at their ex-boyfriend, Gerard has now made his relationship with girlfriend Clara Chia Marti Instagram official and the singer’s fans are now going berserk on social media.
The 45-year-old singer happens to be really popular worldwide and especially on social media with over 81 million followers on Instagram. Her latest track titled ‘Out Of Your League’ has already shattered some major records on YouTube and marks her first collaboration with Argentinean producer and DJ Bizarrap.
Piqué took to his Instagram account and shared a picture with his girlfriend Clara Chia Marti where the two can be twinning in black. They’re seen sitting close to each other on a patio restaurant and smiling for the picture.
According to Page Six, a user on Instagram commented below his picture that read, “I would have been ashamed”. Another user commented, “She doesn’t compare to the mother of your children.” A third user commented, “Clearly, it’s official and the jam-eating position is free.”
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No plan to arrest Imran Khan, says Khawaja Asif
Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif has denied that there is any plan to arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, rejecting allegations that the government wants to arrest him.
Speaking on the Geo News programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath” on Wednesday, Asif said that Imran Khan is attempting to exert pressure on the judiciary and other institutions.
He also said that PTI uses abusive language towards the country’s institutions.
Talking about PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry’s arrest, Asif said that if the judiciary grants bail to Chaudhry, the government would have no problem with that.
The defence minister also stressed that the government will not abuse the law as Khan did during his time in power.
On Thursday, President Dr Arif Alvi said that if Imran Khan will be arrested, it would lead to a severe public reaction.
It is reported on Thursday that PTI workers and supporters spent the second consecutive night outside Khan’s Zaman Park residence to stop the police from arresting the PTI chief.
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Khan gave his Zaman Park home to Bushra Bibi in Haq meher, claims Javed Chaudhry
Journalist Javed Chaudhry has published another column containing sensational claims about Imran Khan. In the article published on Thursday, Chaudhry gave details of a discussion he had with Khan’s former close aide, Awn Chaudhry. Over breakfast, the two discussed a host of issues including how the former Prime Minister came to marry his third wife, Bushra Bibi.
The journalist wrote that Khan met Bushra Bibi after his divorce from Reham Khan in November 2015 at Bibi’s ex-husband Khawar Farid Maneka’s residence. Later, she rented a three-kanal house in Bani Gala, Islamabad. After that, Khan started to meet Bushra daily.
Awn Chaudhry told the journalist that Bibi first offered her daughter’s hand in marriage to Imran Khan. However, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman turned down the proposal as she was quite young.
Javed wrote that Awn was told by Khan in December 2016 that they would be going to Lahore for his and Bushra Bibi’s nikkah.
Awn revealed that Bibi asked for Imran Khan’s Bani Gala house in her Haq Meher. Javed claimed that Awn said that he didn’t agree to this demand, however, Khan immediately agreed. Later, Imran Khan’s primary residence in Zaman Park Lahore house and a seven-kanal plot in Bani Gala were written in Haq Meher for Bibi.
About Reham and Khan’s marriage, Awn said that Khan gave Reham a divorce the moment she landed in London in 2015, Javed claimed. He went on to say that Awn recalled that Imran Khan was depressed about the divorce and he had never seen him as worried as he was.
Javed wrote that Awn told him that the divorce took place after Khan consulted Bushra Bibi on the matter. -
‘Fawad Chaudhry’s face shouldn’t have been covered’: PML-N’s Malik Ahmad Khan
Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Malik Ahmad Khan has said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry should not have been presented in court with a white cloth covering his face.
“If any kind of brutality happens with Fawad, I will condemn it. If due process is not followed, or in case of mistreatment, I will be the first one to [protest]. His face shouldn’t have been covered yesterday. They should have presented him in court openly,” said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader while addressing a press conference on Thursday.
However, Malik believed that Fawad should not have threatened the Election Commission and their families. He said that his relationship with Chaudhry spans 30 years. “The one who threatened the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) isn’t the Fawad I know,” said Malik Khan.
Former Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar tweeted that such actions by the ECP will damage the remaining reputation of the institution.
Former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail also spoke up, tweeting, “Fawad should not have been arrested and handcuffed.”
Stating that Chaudary was wrong to threaten ECP officials and families, Miftah said he should have instead been served a notice. “IK was wrong to jail us for months without charge only—-because we opposed him.”
Former Chairman Senate, Mian Raza Rabbani, said that the Chaudhary’s arrest under section 124A, PPC, 1860, for sedition is unwarranted.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), deploring the continuous use of archaic, colonial laws against sedition by successive governments against their political opponents, said that Fawad Chaudhry was the latest in the series.
“The charges must be dropped immediately, and the government of the day must act more responsibly,” the human rights watchdog has stated.
Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) also strongly condemned Fawad Chaudhry’s arrest and demanded his immediate release.
SCBA termed his arrest a classic example of abuse of power and political victimisation.
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Indian border officials bars own baseball team from entering Pakistan
The Indian baseball team, who had arrived at Wagha Border to enter Pakistan to play West Asia Cup, was barred from crossing over by Indian border officials, Dawn has reported. Nepal’s baseball team, which had travelled with their Indian counterparts, entered Pakistan.
The West Asia Cup will start on January 27 in Islamabad.
Indian security officials reportedly asked their team to show a NOC issued by the government.
The Indian team had all the traveling documents and visas in their hands except the NOC. According to Dawn Pakistan Baseball Federation chairman Fakhar Ali Shah has said that they are still waiting for the Indian team’s arrival.
“Even if they get the NOC on Jan 27, we will adjust the schedule of their matches accordingly,” Fakhar said, stating that Sri Lanka’s arrival had also been delayed and they would fly in on Thursday while Nepal joined Palestine and Bangladesh in reaching Islamabad.
Earlier, Indian Baseball Federation general secretary Harish Kumar, who is accompanying the 20-member squad, had sent a video message to the PFB, saying it was “thankful to the government of Pakistan, especially for their all efforts for the issuance of the visas to the Indian squad”.