Netflix has announced that the popular Korean series ‘Squid Game’ will have a third season, while also confirming that Season 2 will start on December 26 this year.
In a statement released on Thursday, Netflix said that the show will end with season 3 in 2025.
The show’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, said, “It’s been almost three years since Season 1 was a big hit around the world. I’m very excited to tell you that Season 2 will start soon and that we will also have a third and final season.”
Hwang also shared some details about the new seasons. “Seong Gi-hun, who wanted revenge at the end of Season 1, comes back to the game. Will he get his revenge? The Front Man will be a tough opponent again. Their intense fight will continue in Season 3, which you will see next year.”
He added, “I’m happy to see how the story of ‘Squid Game’ has grown. We will do our best to make the final seasons exciting. I hope you’re looking forward to what’s coming.”
Netflix had already announced a second season for the smash hit in June 2022. The new seasons will bring back characters Gi-Hun and The Front Man.
As the countdown to Season 2 begins, excitement is higher than ever. Fans can look forward to an emotional rollercoaster full of suspense, mystery, and surprising twists. The deadly games will return with even higher stakes, promising a thrilling experience.
Beyond the action, ‘Squid Game’ has always offered deep social messages, and Season 2 is expected to continue exploring these themes. The final chapter promises to be as exciting and thought-provoking as the earlier seasons.
COPENHAGEN: Extreme heat kills over 175,000 people a year in Europe, where temperatures are rising quicker than the rest of the globe, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) European branch said on Thursday.
Of the some 489,000 heat-related deaths recorded each year by the WHO between 2000 and 2019, the European region accounts for 36 per cent or, on average, 176,040 deaths, the WHO said.
The health body noted that temperatures in the region are “rising at around twice the global average rate.” The WHO’s European region comprises 53 countries, including several in Central Asia.
“People are paying the ultimate price,” Hans Kluge, the WHO’s regional director for Europe, said in a statement. According to the WHO, there has been a 30pc increase in heat-related mortality in the region over the past two decades.
“Temperature extremes exacerbate chronic conditions, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and cerebrovascular diseases, mental health, and diabetes-related conditions,” Kluge said. The regional director added that extreme heat can particularly be a problem for elderly people and an “additional burden” for pregnant women.
The WHO noted that “heat stress” — when the human body can no longer maintain its temperature — “is the leading cause of climate-related death” in the region. According to the WHO, the number of heat-related deaths is set to “soar” in the coming years as a result of global warming.
“The three warmest years on record” for the region “have all occurred since 2020, and the ten warmest years have been since 2007,” Kluge said. On July 25, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that humanity was suffering from an “extreme heat epidemic,” and called for action to limit the impacts of heat waves intensified by climate change.
Scorching China
Chinese weather authorities said on Thursday, July was the country’s hottest month since records began six decades ago, as extreme temperatures persist across the globe. China is the world’s biggest emitter of the greenhouse gases that scientists say are driving climate change and making extreme weather more frequent and intense.
Heatwaves this summer have scorched parts of northern China, while torrential rains have triggered floods and landslides in central and southern areas. Last month was “the hottest July since complete observations began in 1961, and the hottest single month in the history of observation”, the national weather office said on Thursday.
The weather office said the average air temperature in China in July was 23.21°C, exceeding the previous record of 23.17°C in 2017. The mean temperature in every province was also “higher than the average for previous years,” with the southwestern provinces of Guizhou and Yunnan logging their highest averages.
It forecast that the mercury would continue to climb in eastern regions this week, including Shanghai, where a red alert for extreme heat was in place.
“Next week will be more of the same. It’s like being on an iron plate,” wrote one user of the Weibo social media platform in response to the megacity’s heat warning.
Singer Aima Baig recently surprised her fan base with a series of stories on her Instagram account, hinting at her leaving Pakistan. Fans were left worried and confused, thinking she was leaving the country for good.
Aima has now clarified that the speculation was not true.
“I’m not actually leaving Pakistan, it’s just an extended trip. As an artist, I have to live out of a suitcase, but my roots are still here,” she said. Aima Baig has calmed her fans’ concerns and informed them that she won’t be leaving Pakistan’s music industry in the near future with her clarification.
In an unusual development, the Foreign Office (FO) Pakistan on July 31st re-issued its press release condemning the assassination of Hamas’s Ismael Haniyeh, expunging the word “Israel”.
Both press releases were issued on the same day; however, in the last paragraph of the initial press release, it was written, “Pakistan views with serious concerns the growing Israeli adventurism in the region.”
First statement:
Later, it was changed to “Pakistan views with serious concerns the growing adventurism in the region,” redacting the word “Israel” from its statement.
Updated statement:
Social media noticed the correction instantly and reacted with suspicion, with most questioning the intent behind FO Pakistan’s move.
An Islamabad-based think tank has revealed that terrorist violence surged across the country in July following a slight decline in June.
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) reported that 79 militant attacks took place in July, resulting in 108 deaths and 71 injuries.
Attacks rose by 14 per cent, while deaths surged by a staggering 80 per cent, and injuries increased by nine per cent from June.
In response to the rising violence, security forces intensified their operations and killed at least 50 terrorists in July, a 56 per cent increase from June.
Most of the terrorist attacks occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its merged tribal districts (formerly FATA), with 36 attacks reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in the deaths of 60 people and 27 others injured. In the tribal districts of the province, 30 people died in 26 attacks.
In Balochistan, 12 terror attacks resulted in 12 deaths and 24 injuries. Sindh experienced five attacks, leading to 6 deaths and two injuries.
A significant development in July was the arrest of Al-Qaeda leader Aminul Haque by Punjab’s counter-terrorism unit on July 18.
Security forces also killed 6 key commanders of the outlawed TTP in various operations based on secret information. This included Najeeb alias Abdul Rahman and Ashfaq alias Muawiya in the Tirah Valley of Khyber tribal district, Irfanullah alias Adnan in Bajaur, Shah Faisal in the Diamar district of Gilgit-Baltistan, and Noor Rehman in North Waziristan and Peshawar, where the shadow governor of the banned TTP was also targeted.
Renowned actor Danish Taimoor recently channeled Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan by striking his iconic arm pose in a sunflower field in the UK.
In a reel shared on his Instagram on Tuesday, Taimoor was seen recreating the signature pose, accompanied by SRK’s song ‘Main Yahan Hoon’ from the Bollywood movie ‘Veer Zara.’ He captioned the post, “Good memories are the timeless treasures of the heart.”
The video quickly went viral, amassing over 5 million views and thousands of likes and comments from fans who dubbed Taimoor the “King of Pakistan,” drawing comparisons to Bollywood’s Shah Rukh Khan.
Ayeza Khan also shared a gallery of photos from their trip, captioning it, “Sunflower field vibes, feeling like we’re in a Yash Raj movie song!”
Urdu language TV channel 92 News has shut down operations and transmission in the United Kingdom after Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched a defamation case in the UK High Court over a programme aired in the UK by the channel. The program allegedly made false accusations against Maryam of taking Toshakhana gifts in an alleged violation of rule, and in conspiracy with bureaucrats.
92 News/Glaxy has previously apologised to Senator Ishaq Dar in the UK in a defamation case and also lost a defamation case to PMLN UK vice president Nasir Mahmood.
Sources in 92 News (also known as 92 News HD Plus) in the UK and Pakistan confirm that the channel terminated its services from 31st July 2024 in the UK after being advised by its British lawyers. Lawyers allegedly told them that they would lose the defamation case at the trial level in the UK High Court later in the year, with potential costs of over £250,000 in legal fees and damages, likely to be rewarded to Maryam Nawaz.
Last month, the channel sent out a notification to the UK govt’s TV regulator and Sky management that it was winding up the company (Glaxy Broadcasting Network Limited) that owns 92 News in UK and will stop broadcasting in the UK after 31st July 2024.
The Programme on Maryam
Maryam initiated legal proceedings against 92 News/Glaxy after anchors Amir Mateen and Sarwat Valim in the programme ’Muqabil’, on November 17, 2022, accused her of taking Toshakhana gifts. The anchors alleged that Maryam Nawaz took a watch from the Toshakhana worth a million for only PKR 45,000 with help from the bureaucracy in a ‘corrupt scheme’. The allegation was false as Maryam had not received any such gift, and her lawyers argued as much in the claim, seeking an apology and damages. Her lawyers stated, in court papers at UK High Court, that Maryam had suffered serious harm to her reputation by the imputations in the broadcast and therefore the channel should apologise.
The channel accepted during the communications that it had no defence of the allegations but argued on technicalities that the anchors were fed news by social media after the Toshakhana scandals broke out.
The case at UK High Court was registered for trial hearings later this year and before the trial could begin in just a few months, the channel decided to shut down its operations and move into liquidation to avoid paying heavy damages and costs. Maryam Nawaz was represented in the case by Stone White Solicitors.
The show aired on 92 News in the UK and Pakistan after the federal government made the list of state officials who received Toshakhana gifts since 2002 public in accordance with the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) directives.
The record stated that by putting just Rs20.17 million in Toshakhana, former premier Imran Khan was able to keep a watch (A Graff watch, No. AU750) set in 18-karat gold and diamonds valued at about Rs. 85 million, a pair of cufflinks worth over Rs. 5.6 million, a pen worth Rs. 1.5 million rupees, and an engagement ring worth Rs. 8.7 million.
Former president Asif Ali Zardari also kept a number of items after depositing a total of about Rs. 16.1 million, including a BMW 760 Li with an estimated value of Rs. 57,828,705 and a Toyota Lexus LX 470 with an estimated value of Rs. 50,000,000.
The record said by depositing Rs. 0.243 million in Toshakhana in 2013, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was able to keep one Rolex Watch Oyster Perpetual N Series 0835D018, one pair of cufflinks with a pen (worth Rs. 0.025 million), and four commemorative coins from the Central Bank of Kuwait (worth Rs. 0.015 million). Kulsoom Nawaz, the wife of Nawaz Sharif, kept a bracelet worth Rs. 12.7 million and a pair of earrings worth Rs. 41.6 million by depositing Rs. 10.8 million in 2016.
A PMLN spokesman in Lahore said Maryam Nawaz never benefitted from the Toshakhana and the allegation was false. “Maryam Nawaz launched a case in the UK against 92 News to clear her name and she stands vindicated as 92 News made it clear during proceedings it had no evidence. The channel confirmed the allegation was false and knew it would be heavily punished for running a fake news. Therefore it has decided to liquidate and end business in UK.”
In recent years, the Pakistani film industry has experienced an incredible comeback, which led to a number of hit movies that have captivated viewers both locally and globally.
Despite facing challenges, Pakistani cinema has produced many great films that people love. Here are the top ten highest-grossing Pakistani films:
The Legend of Maula Jatt
The Legend of Maula Jatt was released in 25 countries, making it the highest and widest-ever release for any Pakistani or Punjabi film yet, with a worldwide box-office gross of more than Rs. four billion. Maula Jatt in Pakistan has earned over 121 crore. The film is written by Bilal Lashari, Nasir Adib, and directed by Bilal Lashari. Featuring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, the film has set a new benchmark for Pakistani cinema with its stunning visuals and gripping storyline.
Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2
Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 did well at the Pakistani box office. It crossed over Rs. 70.35 crores. People loved the film’s direction, script, cast, and performances. It was a huge success for the revival of the film industry.
London Nahi Jaunga
London Nahi Jaunga was also a successful film and the film gave tough competition to Bollywood film Shamshera, which was released after London Nahi Jaunga. The film’s worldwide collection was Rs. 53.58 crores, and in Pakistan it collected 29.48 crores at the box office. The film is written by writer Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar and directed by Nadeem Baig.
Punjab Nahi Jaungi
Punjab Nahi Jaungi is a rom-com that stars Humayun Saeed and Mehwish Hayat alongside Urwa Hocane. It recorded the biggest bang in a single day for any Pakistani film with a collection of Rs. 2.80 crores and then a worldwide gross over Rs. 51.65 crores.
Jawani Phir Nahi Ani
Jawani Phir Nahi Ani, the first movie in the Jawani series made a worldwide gross of Rs. 49.44 crores. The film stars Humayun Saeed, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Ahmad Ali Butt, Vasay Chaudhry, and Mehwish Hayat. The film is written by Vasay Chaudhry and directed by Nadeem Baig.
Parwaaz Hai Junoon
Parwaaz Hai Junoon includes Hamza Ali Abbasi, Ahad Raza Mir, Hania Aamir, and Kubra Khan. The film, which is a tribute to the Pakistan Air Force, made a worldwide gross of Rs. 43.20 crores. The film is written by Farhat Ishtiaq and directed by Haseeb Hassan.
Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad
Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad stars Fahad Mustafa and Mahira Khan. It was an action-comedy film that made a collection of Rs. 42.05 crores. Written and directed by Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Mirza.
Teefa in Trouble
Teefa in Trouble, which includes Ali Zafar and Maya Ali, was overall good in the box office collection. The total collection of the film was Rs. 50.3 crores. Directed by Ahsan Rahim and written by Ali Zafar, Ahsan Rahim, and Danyal Zafar.
Bin Roye
Bin Roye stars Humayun Saeed, Mahira Khan, Armeena Khan, and Zeba Bakhtiar. The film is based on the novel Bin Roye Ansoo by Farhat Ishtiaq. Bin Roye was praised by critics and became the sixth highest-grossing Pakistani film. The worldwide collection of the film was Rs. 40.5 crore.
Wrong No. 2
Wrong No. 2, which is a romantic comedy film, features Sami Khan, Neelum Muneer, Javed Sheikh, and Mehmood Aslam. The worldwide revenue of Wrong No. 2 was Rs. 21.75 crores. The film is directed and written by Yasir Nawaz.
These films are representative of the diversity of storylines and the talented skill in Pakistani cinema, as well as audience interest in local film content. Pakistani films are earning their due place and pulling people into cinemas.
In July 2024, Pakistan’s Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation decreased to 11.1 per cent year-on-year, down from 12.6 per cent in June 2024 and a substantial 28.3 per cent in July 2023, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
On a month-on-month basis, the CPI inflation rose by 2.1 per cent in July 2024, a significant increase from the 0.5 per cent recorded in June 2024 but a slower rise compared to the 3.5 per cent increase in July 2023.
The data further reveals that urban CPI inflation climbed to 13.2 per cent year-on-year in July 2024, up from 14.9 per cent in June 2024 and down from 26.3 per cent in July 2023. Month-on-month, urban CPI inflation increased by 2.0 per cent, up from 0.6 per cent in the previous month but lower than the 3.6 per cent recorded in July 2023.
For rural areas, CPI inflation rose by 8.1 per cent year-on-year in July 2024, compared to 9.3 per cent in June 2024 and 31.3 per cent in July 2023. On a month-on-month basis, rural CPI inflation increased by 2.2 per cent, a jump from 0.3 per cent in June 2024 but slightly lower than the 3.3 per cent rise in July 2023.
The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) inflation saw a year-on-year increase of 15.7 per cent in July 2024, down from 16.6 per cent in June 2024 and 29.3 per cent in July 2023. Month-on-month, SPI inflation rose by 2.0 per cent, up from 1.3 per cent in June 2024 and slightly lower than the 2.8 per cent increase in July 2023.
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation was recorded at 10.4 per cent year-on-year in July 2024, compared to 10.6 per cent in the previous month and 23.1 per cent in July 2023. On a month-on-month basis, WPI inflation rose by 2.3 per cent, up from 0.4 per cent in June 2024 and similar to the 2.5 per cent rise in July 2023.
On Thursday, gold prices in Pakistan experienced a notable increase. The price of 24-karat gold reached Rs254,900 per tola, marking a rise of Rs1,400.
According to the Karachi Sarafa Association, the cost of 24-karat gold was reported at Rs218,536 per 10-gramme, up by Rs1,201. Meanwhile, 22-karat gold prices also saw an uptick, quoted at Rs200,324 per 10-gramme.
In contrast, silver prices in the domestic market remained steady. The price for 24-karat silver was unchanged at Rs2,900 per tola and Rs2,486 per 10-gramme.
On the international stage, spot gold traded at approximately $2,433 per ounce, experiencing a decrease of $12.30, or 0.50 per cent, from the previous session.
