With a career spanning thousands of performances, Javed Kodu has mesmerized audiences with his talent, but his childhood was affected by bullying and discrimination, a traumatic experience he recently recounted. Kodu appeared as a guest on ‘Mazaq Raat’ hosted by Imran Ashraf. The host asked “What difficulties have you faced in life?”
Javed Kodou replied, “I faced bullying due to my condition. Once, while walking home from school, a boy struck me on the road, encouraged by the boy’s father who believed I deserved it because of my dwarfism. That day, I returned home with a bleeding head.”
Javed Kodu has appeared in different films, television shows, and stage dramas. Some of his notable works include ‘Hero’ ‘Ainak Wala Jin’ , ‘Jadoo Nagri’
While talking about his personal life, he said, “I once fell for a woman from my field, but things didn’t work out. I asked her to marry me, but she had other goals and rejected my proposal. I remember this to this day.”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat has demanded Senator Shibli Faraz’s resignation, claiming it is the only way to liberate PTI from the “Qabza Mafia.”
Sher Afzal Marwat wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter): “If Shibli will resign, I promise, the party will rise as per the need of the hour”.
Marwat’s demand came after PTI leader Omar Ayub resigned as the party’s Secretary General on Thursday.
Marwat had refused to work with Shibli Faraz and Omar Ayub, alleging that they don’t allow him to meet incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The maverick PTI lawmaker is angry for multiple reasons, as the party revoked his nomination last month for the position of National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman.
PTI also removed Marwat from the party’s core and political committees for violating the party’s code of conduct.
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has released a list of the best cities to live in around the world for 2024.
Vienna, the capital of Austria in Europe, has been named the best city to live in for the third consecutive year.
This recognition is attributed to its stable infrastructure, culture, education, medical services, and entertainment.
Following Vienna, Copenhagen, located in Denmark, holds second place, maintaining its position from last year.
Zurich, Switzerland, took third place, with Melbourne, Australia, following in fourth.
Calgary, Canada, and Geneva, Switzerland, shared fifth place, while Sydney, Australia, and Vancouver, Canada, shared seventh.
Only one Asian city, Osaka in Japan, was ranked 9th, alongside Auckland, New Zealand.
Karachi, Pakistan, is the only city from the country on the list, maintaining its 169th position from last year out of 173 cities.
Regarding the least suitable cities to live in, Damascus, Syria, ranks 173rd, followed by Tripoli, Libya (172nd), Algeria (171st), and Lagos, Nigeria (170th), with Dhaka ranking 168th.
The report stated that the global situation improved somewhat during the last year, but threats to global stability remained.
According to the report, protests continued throughout the year in different parts of the world due to the increase in interest rates, inflation, and other economic problems.
President of the United States (US) Joe Biden and Donald Trump had the first public debate of the 2024 US presidential race; however, Biden struggled to articulate his points at several moments, often fumbling his words.
Netizens did not spare Biden as memes ruled the social media with many Democrat supporters disappointed at Biden’s inability to articulate his words, his old age and infirmity shining through.
Thursday evening’s performance took place at the CNN news network’s studios in Atlanta, Georgia. It marked the first time since October 2020 that the two candidates met on the debate stage.
But from the moment Biden stepped on stage, the Democratic president seemed to wobble, muttering as he approached the podium.
At one moment during the speech, Biden talked about border control with slurred speech, to which Trump replied, “I really don’t know what he said at the end of his speech; I don’t think he knows what he said either.”
Hum TV is gearing up to captivate Pakistani television audiences with its latest drama series, ‘Mann Jogi,’ helmed by renowned director Kashif Nisar. The stellar cast, including Bilal Abbas Khan, Sabeena Farooq, and Mirza Gohar Rasheed, has already sparked immense anticipation among fans eagerly awaiting its premiere.
Written by the acclaimed Zafar Mairaj and directed by Kashif Nisar, known for their collaboration on ‘Kabli Pulao,’ expectations are high for their ability to craft compelling narratives and deliver exceptional storytelling.
Produced under the guidance of visionary director and producer Sultana Siddiqui, ‘Mann Jogi’ promises a fresh perspective and engaging storyline. The recently unveiled first look featuring Bilal Abbas Khan has further piqued curiosity, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable viewing experience.
Adding another layer of excitement, Sabeena Farooq makes her singing debut with the drama’s OST, collaborating with Sahir Ali Bagga to create a soul-stirring soundtrack that resonates deeply with listeners.
Mirza Gohar Rasheed’s portrayal of Shabbir in ‘Mann Jogi’ has already become a topic of speculation among fans. With his versatile acting skills, viewers are eager to uncover the depths of his character and the role he will play in the unfolding drama.
Local police in the Maldives have arrested two serving ministers for allegedly performing black magic on President Mohamed Muizzu. Ministers Shamnaz Saleem, Adam Rameez, and two others were apprehended, reported international media.
Maldives Minister Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem is the state minister for Environment, Climate Change, and Energy in the Maldives. Her ex-husband, Adam Rameez, was a minister at the President’s Office. On June 23, they were arrested and remanded in custody for seven days on charges of allegedly performing black magic.
“Shamnaz, alongside two other individuals, was arrested on Sunday. All three of them have been remanded in custody for seven days. She was suspended from her post on Wednesday as per the Environment Ministry,” news portal Sun.mv reported, adding that Rameez was also suspended on Thursday.
“Rameez, during his time at Male City Council, was known as a close aide of Muizzu, who was the mayor at that time,” Sun.mv said. “However, he has been absent from the public light in the past five months or so,” the report added.
Shamnaz and Rameez worked with Muizzu as members of the Male City Council when he was mayor.
The Maldives government has yet to make an official statement on this situation.
Background
After Muizzu was elected President last year, Shamnaz resigned from the Male City Council and later transferred to the Environment Ministry. Her role is vital in a nation facing the brunt of the climate crisis.
A 62-year-old woman was stabbed to death by three neighbours in April 2023 after she was accused of conducting black magic, aalthough the police investigation found her to be innocent, according to a local Mihaaru news website.
In 2012, during a crackdown on an opposition political rally, the police accused the organizers of hurling a “cursed rooster” at officers who were raiding their offices
Tehran (AFP) – Polls in Iran opened on Friday for a presidential election following the death of ultraconservative president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash last month.
Ultimate political power in Iran is held by Khamenei, the supreme leader.
Khamenei insisted this week that “the most qualified candidate” must be “the one who truly believes in the principles of the Islamic Revolution” of 1979 that overthrew the US-backed monarchy.
The next president, he said, must allow Iran “to move forward without being dependent on foreign countries”.
However, Khamenei also said that Iran should not “cut its relations with the world”.
During campaign debates, Jalili criticised the moderates for having signed the 2015 nuclear accord which promised Iran sanctions relief in return for curbs on the programme.
Jalili said the deal, which the United States withdrew from in 2018 under then-president Donald Trump, “did not benefit Iran at all”.
Pezeshkian has urged efforts to salvage the agreement and lift crippling sanctions on the Iranian economy.
“Are we supposed to be eternally hostile to America, or do we aspire to resolve our problems with this country?” he asked.
The contentious issue of the compulsory head covering for women also emerged during the campaign, almost two years since a vast protest movement swept the country after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, 22.
An Iranian Kurd, Amini had been arrested for an alleged violation of the country’s strict dress code for women.
In the televised debates, all candidates distanced themselves from the sometimes heavy-handed police arrests of women refusing to wear the hijab head covering in public.
Pourmohammadi, the only clerical candidate, said that “under no circumstances should we treat Iranian women with such cruelty.”
Israel launched air strikes on Gaza Thursday after warning Hezbollah, Hamas’s ally in Lebanon, to avoid a large-scale war that would send the neighbouring country “back to the Stone Age”.
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant made the comment during a visit to Washington, where he discussed the Gaza war, long-running efforts toward a truce, and ways to avoid a wider regional conflagration.
As cross-border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have risen, Gallant stressed that “we do not want war, but we are preparing for every scenario”.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during his visit to Washington this weekDrew ANGERER
“Hezbollah understands very well that we can inflict massive damage in Lebanon if a war is launched,” he said of the fighter group.
Israel and Hezbollah have traded near daily cross-border fire since October 7.
But tensions have surged since Israel said this month that its Lebanon war plans are ready, sparking threats from Hezbollah that, in the event of all-out war, none of Israel would be safe.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Gallant this week that a war with Hezbollah could have “terrible consequences for the Middle East” and urged a diplomatic solution.
A Palestinian boy sits on a war-damaged road at al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on June 26, 2024Eyad BABA
UN humanitarian coordinator Martin Griffiths warned that Lebanon was “the flashpoint beyond all flashpoints” and that a full war would be “potentially apocalyptic”.
Germany has joined Canada in advising its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country, reiterating warnings first issued shortly after October 7.
In the latest clashes on Wednesday, Lebanese media reported about 10 Israeli strikes near the border, while Hezbollah claimed six attacks against Israeli military positions.
A US official said Washington was engaged in “fairly intensive conversations” with Israel, Lebanon and other actors and believed that no side sought a “major escalation”.
Meanwhile, the Gaza war at the heart of regional tensions ground on, despite comments Sunday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the “intense phase” of the assault on Gaza was nearing an end.
An Israeli Air Force F-16 Jet fighter aircraft flies over the border area between northern Israel and southern LebanonJACK GUEZ
Israeli air strikes overnight and early Thursday killed at least five people in Gaza City, said Gaza’s civil defence agency and Al-Mamdani hospital medics.
One person was killed when a warplane bombed a house in Beit Lahia, paramedics said.
Heavy fighting, artillery shelling and helicopter fire were reported Thursday around northern Gaza’s Shujayia market, as well as approaching Israeli ground vehicles.
Hamas’ press office in Gaza reported “a significant displacement of residents” there and said people “are fleeing to areas of refuge in Gaza City that are already overcrowded”.
An anonymous witness told AFP the situation was “very difficult and frightening in Shujayia after the arrival of occupation (Israeli) vehicles and air fire.”
“Residents are running through the streets in terror… a number of wounded and martyrs lie in the streets.”
A handout picture released by the Jordanian army shows humanitarian aid being airdropped from a military aircraft over southern Gaza on June 25, 2024-
Shelling also targeted Gaza City, sending plumes of smoke into the sky, and Israeli forces blew up several buildings in far-southern Rafah, witnesses said.
The Israeli military also said it had “attacked terrorists who were in a school complex in Khan Yunis” in the south, where the civil defence agency said it had recovered several bodies.
US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have voiced hope a Gaza ceasefire could also lead to a reduction in hostilities on the Lebanese border.
However, months of talks towards a truce and hostage release deal have so far failed as Israel has rejected Hamas’ demands for a permanent end to fighting and full troop withdrawal.
Israel has killed at least 37,765 people, also mostly civilians, according to data from Gaza’s health ministry.
This handout picture released by the Israeli army on June 25, 2024 shows an Israeli army tracked vehicle during operations in the Gaza Strip-
The war and siege have triggered a dire humanitarian crisis, with Gaza hospitals struggling to function and food, drinking water and other essentials hard to come by.
USAID officials said Wednesday that just 1,000 of the 7,000 tonnes of aid shipped from Cyprus to Gaza had been distributed, blaming looting and security problems.
Gaza’s humanitarian crisis is intense, said US doctors and nurses returning from the territory, who reported patients in the few remaining hospitals were dying in large numbers.
Israeli tanks seen in central Gaza, gunfire heard
One of the volunteer medics, former US army combat surgeon Adam Hamawy, said he had worked in many war-torn and natural disaster-hit countries in the past 30 years.
“But the level of civilian casualties that I experienced was beyond anything I’d seen before,” the 54-year-old told AFP.
“Most of our patients were children under the age of 14,” he said. “This has nothing to do with your political views.”
The International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup 2024 final is scheduled to be held tomorrow between India and South Africa, but the day is likely to be affected by rain.
Rain is forecast in Barbados on Saturday, starting early morning.
A reserve day has been set for the finals on Sunday, but there is a possibility of rain in Barbados on the reserve day as well.
An extra time of 190 minutes has been scheduled for both the days of the final match. The official duration of the match is from 10:30 AM to 1:40 PM local time and in case of extra time, the game can continue till 4:50 PM.
Note: If the final cannot be completed, then India and South Africa will jointly be declared T20 champions.
In the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, India qualified for the final after defeating the defending champion England.
England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and invited India to bat first.
First inning:
When India scored 65 runs for 2 wickets in 8 overs, the match was stopped due to rain and the pitch was covered with covers, but the match resumed after some time.
India did not have a good start against England, Virat Kohli failed to play a big innings this time too and was bowled by scoring only 9 runs.
Newcomer batsman Rishabh Pant also failed to score big and returned to the pavilion for 4 runs, while captain Rohit Sharma and Surya Kumar Yadav played responsible batting and hit attractive shots all around the ground.
However, then Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 57 and Surya Kumar Yadav scored 47 runs. Apart from this, Hardik Pandya returned for 23 runs, Shiv Dubey for zero and Akshar Patel for 10 runs while Jadeja remained not out for 17 runs.
Thus, India scored 171 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
On behalf of England, Chris Jordan took 3 wickets, Adil Rashid, Topley, Archer and Sam Curran took one wicket each.
Second inning:
Harry Brooke and Jos Buttler scored 25 runs and Jofra Archer scored 21 runs and Liam Livingston scored 11 runs.
England’s Moeen Ali was dismissed for 8, Phil Salt scored 5 runs, Jonny Bairstow was dismissed for zero while Sam Curran and Adil Rashid scored 2 and 2 runs respectively.
India’s Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav took 3 wickets each while Jasprit Bumrah took 2 wickets.
