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  • Non-Muslims can now have a civil marriage in the UAE

    The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued its first civil marriage license for a Canadian couple in the capital, Abu Dhabi. This license was given under a new law on the personal status of non-muslims in the country, which was announced last month.

    Foreigners make up 90 percent of the approximately 10 million population in the Gulf state. Recently, UAE has been introducing new laws for promoting progressiveness in the region.

    According to WAM news agency, this decision “contributes to the consolidation of Abu Dhabi’s position as a world-leading destination for skills and expertise from around the world.”

    Civil marriage was not allowed in the Middle East as it is the birthplace of three monotheistic religions that includes Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Usually, marriages are conducted under the religious authority of any of the three faiths.

    Civil marriages are only allowed in Algeria and Tunisia.

    Recently, the country has seen a lot of developments, which include lifting a ban on unmarried couples living together and loosening restrictions on alcohol.

    Earlier this month, the UAE also announced that it will move to a Western-style Saturday-Sunday weekend. This will make Emirates the only Gulf country not to observe weekends on a Friday, and Saturday. The government also exempted the censorship policy from cinema and introduced ratings for mature content.

  • ‘Stationery, makeup, mobiles’, mega price hikes set through mini-budget

    Through the mini-budget, the government plans to roll back tax exemptions worth Rs350 billion which will result in several items getting expensive, reports Samaa.

    The budget and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Autonomy Bill are set to be tabled on Thursday in Parliament. According to officials, these changes are being done at the demands of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Mobile phones, stationery items, packaged foods and makeup items are likely to get expensive as tax exemptions would be withdrawn after almost two months of its implementation.

    The tax on the import of luxury items will also be raised. However, prices of several items are likely to remain unchanged i.e. food items and medicine. A temporary or permanent ban or hiking sales tax from 12.5 percent to 17 percent on imported vehicles is also proposed.

    The tax collections target for the coming year is also being raised to Rs6100 billion from Rs5829 billion.

    Earlier, it was reported that government might pass the budget through a presidential ordinance. But IMF rejected this government’s proposal and insisted on legislation through the Parliament. 

    The exemptions need to be reverted before the IMF’s executive board meeting on January 12.

  • ‘The whole world is strange’, Shadab Khan follows strict protocols in BBL

    ‘The whole world is strange’, Shadab Khan follows strict protocols in BBL

    Pakistan all-rounder and vice-captain of the Pakistan cricket team Shadab Khan is all set to play his first Big Bash League (BBL) game for the Sydney sixers later today.

    However, the leg-spinner has been directed to follow special BBL protocols during the match. All international players are unable to join their clubs and teammates in a single dressing room until they spend one week in Australia.

    Shadab is going through rapid PCR tests on a regular basis to ensure he stays healthy and fit. Khan trained along at the SCG before the game and he will have to use a separate dressing room. Khan is also commanded to sit away from the players’ bench and not be a part of any on-field celebrations.

    “It is pretty strange but nowadays the whole world has strange things happening. I understand, everywhere is the same and hopefully, I will join the team soon,” said Shadab.

    Sixers are all set to take on Brisbane Heat and Shadab will play against his former teammates.

    “I’ve played against guys like Chris Lynn, Ben Duckett and Mujeeb Ur Rahman in international cricket. They have a very good team, and they play very good cricket. The Sixers are playing very good cricket as well – hopefully, it is a good game.” he added.

  • ‘Kaali billi’: When Kareena Kapoor slapped Bipasha Basu, grilled John Abraham

    ‘Kaali billi’: When Kareena Kapoor slapped Bipasha Basu, grilled John Abraham

    Rivalries have been evident in Bollywood since the ages of yore, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Bipasha Basu were embroiled in a fight on the sets of Ajnabee and that did escalate further only to have the two take more digs at each other in the future.

    The two stars have worked together in the much spoken about Bollywood drama Ajnabee that released in 2001.

    Ajnabee (2001) - Filmaffinity

    It is said that the 3 Idiots diva was upset that designer Vikram Phadnis who was designated to her, decided to help Bipasha without her consent.

    This escalated into a fight that also involved slaps. As per India Today, both went on to have a heated argument.

    Did Kareena Kapoor call Bipasha Basu 'kaali billi', slap her? Here's truth

    It is said that Kareena even went on to call Bipasha Kaali Billi, and not just that even slapped her in the heat of the moment.

    The Bodyguard heroine decided to give her side of the story to Filmfare in 2002. She had said, “She just doesn’t seem to have any confidence in her own talent. In a four-page interview, she spoke about me for three pages. Why not talk about your work? I think her only claim to fame is that she fought with me during Ajnabee overdress designer Vikram Phadnis. She’s given statements that I called her uncharitable names. Now, that’s a figment of her imagination.”

    From Shah Rukh Khan to John Abraham: Kareena Kapoor Khan REFUSED to work with THESE 8 Bollywood stars

    Earlier Karan Johar asked Kareena on Koffee With Karan if she wants to work with John, she said, “I don’t want to (work) with John Abraham because he is expressionless.”

  • France orders shutdown of mosque for inciting hatred against Jews and homosexuals

    The government of France has decided to shut down a mosque located in the north of a country, Beauvais on Tuesday as the Imam was allegedly inciting hatred and violence.

    Government officials claim that the sermon was based on violence against non-Muslims and sexual minorities and provoking Jihad.

    The Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin took the decision to close down the mosque because the Imam “is targeting Christians, homosexuals, and Jews” in his sermons. The minister said that it is totally unacceptable to incite such hatred among people.

    Local authorities were legally bound to observe 10 days of information gathering before taking action. However, the closure of the mosque will be scheduled within two days.

    It was reported by the local newspaper that the imam recently converted to Islam this month.

    The lawyer for the association managing the mosque, Samim Bolaky filed the case to overturn the banning of the mosque which would be heard by a court within 48 hours.

    The association claimed that the Imam occasionally preached in the mosque. The suspension of the Imam and closure of the worship place was made due to his regular presence, according to the official document citing the reasons for the shutdown.

    According to the official document, the Imam allegedly called for the war against enemies of Islam and allegedly glorified heroes who protected religion against Western influencers. He also labelled non-Muslims as enemies of Islam.

    The document said, “The terrorist threat remains at a very high level” and the closure had “the aim of forestalling acts of terrorism being committed.”

    Earlier this year, France President, Emmanuel Macron announced a crackdown on religious extremism after a teacher, Samuel Paty was killed because of alleged blasphemy. He pledged that he would not compromise on the secular values of the country.

  • No jeans for girls, long hair for boys: University of Agriculture Faisalabad issues new dress code

    No jeans for girls, long hair for boys: University of Agriculture Faisalabad issues new dress code

    A sub-campus of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad located in Toba Tek Singh has issued a new dress code for students, faculty members and administrative staff. The new dress code was issued by Principal Dr Nisar Ahmad.

    As per the issued notification by the Principal, female students are not allowed to wear T-shirts with jeans, sleeveless shirts, see-through and skintight dresses, heavy make-up, flashy and heavy jewellery and anklets.

    In addition, male students are not allowed to wear shorts, cut-off jeans, multi-pocket, faded, torn and skin-fitted jeans and trousers, T-shirts with messages of any kind, chappals and slippers, bandanas, caps, vest of any kind, long hair and ponytails, earrings, wrist straps and bracelets.

    Earlier, this year in September The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) ordered female teachers not to wear jeans and tights and barred male teachers from wearing jeans and t-shirts.

  • When Neelam Muneer rubbed shoulders with Kareena Kapoor in Abu Dhabi

    When Neelam Muneer rubbed shoulders with Kareena Kapoor in Abu Dhabi

    A throwback picture of the Qayamat star Neelam Munir has been resurfacing on social media platforms in which she is spotted with the Bollywood’s actor Kareena Kapoor.

    When Neelam Muneer met Kareena Kapoor

    The Mere Meherbaan diva met her at a mall in 2015 and posted the special moment on her instagram handle.

    Neelum Munir met Kareena Kapoor

    Neelam’s starstruck moment took place in Abu Dhabi where Kareena had gone to promote a jewelry brand. 

    On the work front, Neelam will be seen next in Chakkar opposite Ahsan Khan.

    Neelum Munir and Ahsan Khan all set for Yasir Nawaz's upcoming film 'Chakar' - LogicalBaat a home for News & Entertainment

    READ MORE: ‘Threatened to walk-out’: Aadi Adeal, Faizan Sheikh make shocking revelations on brawl with Neelam Munir

  • ‘Nawaz won’t come back, we will bring him back’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘Nawaz won’t come back, we will bring him back’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has said that Nawaz Sharif’s arrival to Pakistan has been hyped for no reason. It does not make any difference whether he comes or not.

    “We have prevented the mafia group from establishing a foothold in any city,” he said.

    “We will contest the next elections with full force under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan,” he added.

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday said that the government will bring Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif back after the finalisation of an agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) government and ruled out the possibility of Nawaz’s voluntary return to the country.

    “We will bring back the PML-N leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif because he himself will never return,” said Fawad.

    “We have been addressing the legal lacunas relating to the matter for the last two years. Rest assured, he will not return, but we will bring him back,” Fawad said emphatically.

    Fawad emphasised that the opposition was not capable of toppling the government, as it required leadership which they did not have.

    “They are only issuing statements to appease their workers. Everybody knows that Imran Khan gave them [the] toughest time while in [the] Opposition,” he noted.

  • Twitter reacts after Shaheen ‘Test Player of the Year’ snub

    Twitter reacts after Shaheen ‘Test Player of the Year’ snub

    Pakistani Twitter has strongly reacted after Pakistani pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has not been named among the nominees for ICC ‘Test Player of the Year’.

    India’s spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, England skipper Joe Root, New Zealand’s all-rounder Kylie Jamieson and Sri Lanka’s Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne have been nominated for the award on Tuesday.

    Shaheen was the second highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, during 2021, with 47 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 17.06.

    Interestingly, the ICC decided to include New Zealand’s pacer Kyle Jamieson, who had bagged fewer wickets than Shaheen, in the list. The right-armer bagged 27 wickets in five matches.

    Explaining their decision, the ICC said, in a statement, that “in New Zealand’s finest hour, as they celebrated their ICC World Test Championship victory, Jamieson was the player who made the difference”.

    “Away from the seam-friendly pitches of New Zealand and England, Jamieson also impressed on the flat decks in India, getting the ball to shape beautifully,” the statement added.

    However, Twitter users were not happy with ICC’s decision to pick Jamieson over Shaheen.

    https://twitter.com/EhtishamEjaz051/status/1476052082163601408?s=20

    Some of the netizens were even questioning Hassan Ali’s exclusion from the nominees as the star Pakistani speedster has grabbed 41 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 16.07 which include five, 5 wicket-hauls and one 10 wicket-hauls.

  • PM Imran praises India tech, says India $150 billion, Pak $2 billion

    PM Imran praises India tech, says India $150 billion, Pak $2 billion

    Prime Minister Imran Khan, while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Lahore Technopolis, a special technology zone (STZ) on December 23, praised India’s IT sector.

    “Unfortunately, Pakistan lagged behind in the sector despite having ideal conditions, including a huge population of young people,” he said, adding that within 15 to 20 years, Indian tech exports boomed to $150 billion while Pakistan’s could reach only $2 billion.

    PM continued by talking about the involvement of overseas Pakistan’s investing in Pakistan. “China and India had also first attracted their own firms operating abroad to invest at home,” he said, “Pakistani individuals, as well as the firms operating abroad including the Silicon Valley, were interested to invest in Pakistan which necessitated incentives and ease of doing business.”

    Talking about the project, PM said that the project would help provide incentives to the tech industry and bring ease for the businessmen, in accordance with the government’s vision.

    Exemplifying Amazon, Google and other tech giants, the prime minister said during COVID-19, all other businesses had faced a slump but the profits of the tech companies multiplied during the pandemic.