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  • Is Netflix’s trending ‘Things Heard & Seen’ based on a true story?

    Is Netflix’s trending ‘Things Heard & Seen’ based on a true story?

    Netflix’s latest horror film Things Heard and Seen, featuring Amanda Seyfried and James Norton, is reportedly based on a true story of a murder that took place in 1982.

    According to a report in NY Post, the film based on Elizabeth Brundage’s novel All Things Cease To Appear was partly inspired by the gruesome death of Cathleen Krauseneck in 1982 in Brighton, New York. Cathleen’s murder is better know as “the Brighton Ax Murder.”

    On February 19, 1982, James Krauseneck Jr. returned to his new house on Del Rio Drive near Rochester from his job as an economist at Eastman Kodak Co., when he spotted broken glass inside from a window and called the police. He had found his 29-year-old wife, Cathleen, dead in bed with an ax lodged in her head and their 3-year-old daughter seated calmly in her own bedroom, dressed to go out.

    In a statement to the police, James had said: “She [his daughter] had a red sweater over a pink sweater with blue ABC corduroy pants and two pairs of socks. She looked dazed to me. I picked her up from her bed and ran downstairs and out the front door with her.”

    James, who was considered to be one of the key suspects, said he had been at work all day. The next day he reportedly took his daughter Sara and fled to Michigan, where he grew up. Brighton Police Chief Eugene Shaw opted not to question the daughter a month later because “too much time has gone by.”

    James Krauseneck Jr.

    Meanwhile, Cathleen’s murder case, which had gone unresolved for almost 39 years, finally made a breakthrough in November 2019 when James was indicted by a grand jury on a second-degree murder charge. He pleaded not guilty.

    The Brighton Police Chief attributed the delayed charges to improved forensic technology that’s clarified the timeline of the murder — calling James’ alibi into question — and has shed more light on the crime scene.

    “I understand people want a singular piece of evidence that can directly point to James Krauseneck Jr.,” the current Brighton Police Chief David Catholdi had told a local media out. “This is not one of those cases.”

    It is pertinent to add that at the scene of the crime no other DNA was found other than the family’s. It was also reported that shortly before her death, Cathleen found that James had not completed his doctorate and lied to his employers.

    After Michigan, James moved to Gig Harbor in Washington, where he worked as a vice president of sales for a timberland company called Weyerhaeuser. When he was charged, James was living in Peoria, Arizona, with his fourth wife.

    To add another twist, serial rapist Ed Laraby, right before he died in 2014 claimed that he killed Cathleen and committed at least a dozen more crimes.

    “Ed Laraby is a notorious self-described sociopathic killer of women,” Krauseneck’s defense attorney said. “The issue is he lived really within basically a half mile, or less than a half mile, and has confessed to this murder as he lay dying in prison.”

    Unlike the ending of the movie, which had a comprehensive end, Cathleen Krauseneck’s murder remains unsolved. James, now 69, was freed on $100,000 bail and is awaiting a trial that was delayed by the pandemic — the next pretrial hearing is set for June.

    Things Heard and Seen follows an unhappy young mother (Seyfried), who is brutally murdered with an ax while her child is found eerily seated on the couch downstairs. Her studious husband (Norton) leaves shortly after the crime. The film gives the real-life characters different names, changes up their circumstances (they have a son and live in the Hudson Valley) and adds some ghosts for some more horror.

    The film is currently trending in the top ten on Netflix Pakistan.

  • Restoration work on Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor’s ancestral homes to start after Eid

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has issued final notices to the owners of Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor’s ancestral houses as the government plans to take over the properties after Eid, Geo News has reported.

    As per details, KP Archaeology and Museums Department Director Dr Abdul Samad has said that restoration work on both houses will take place following the take over. 

    Dr Abdul Samad added that the “deputy commissioner has sent the final notices to the landlord”.

    Meanwhile, the owners of the properties will be summoned on May 18, and they can demand the KP government or the court for a higher price and can submit their objections.

    Earlier this year in January, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mahmood Khan approved Rs 23.56 million to purchase the ancestral houses of two Bollywood legends Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor in Peshawar, but the owner of Kapoor Haveli in Peshawar refused to sell the house to the government at the price set by the authorities.

    As per reports, the value of Raj Kapoor house is Rs 15 million, while Kumar’s home is worth Rs 8.56 million. Both houses will be converted into museums after restoration work.

  • PM likely to take your phone calls again on May 11

    Prime Minister Imran Khan is likely to restart his initiative of taking phone calls from the masses and giving them his response from May 11. The initiative is expected to restart when he returns from Saudi Arabia.

    Khan is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia from May 7 to May 9. The issue of the release of Pakistani prisoners who are suffering in Saudi Arabia’s jails is likely to be highlighted by the PM.

    This is the third telethon series to be done by PM Khan. He launched the event on March 28, which was a telethon for the Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme and also took calls from the general public on April 4th.

    “It is the practical implementation of the promise made by the prime minister to the masses in his victory speech that he would be answerable before the people,” a PTI leader said.

  • Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman among ICC ‘Player of the Month’ nominees

    Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman among ICC ‘Player of the Month’ nominees

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced nominees for April’s ICC Player of the Month Awards. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman are among the nominated players.

    ICC introduced the award to recognise the best performances from both male and female cricketers across all formats of international cricket.

    In the month of April, Pakistan captain Babar Azam became the number one ranked batsman in the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, ending Indian Cricket Team’s captain Virat Kohli’s long reign at the top of the charts.

    Babar’s match-winning 82-ball 94 in the third ODI against South Africa helped him gain 13 rating points to reach a career-best 865 points. He also contributed 122 from 59 balls in Pakistan’s successful chase in the third match of a T20I series against the same opposition.

    His compatriot Fakhar Zaman also produced a stellar showing during the month, scoring two centuries in the ODI series victory over South Africa, including a magnificent 193 in the second match in Johannesburg. 

    Completing the men’s shortlist, Nepal’s Khushal Bhurtel was the leading run-scorer as his team won a tri-series also featuring the Netherlands and Malaysia. His significant contribution with the bat totalled 278 runs, including four half-centuries in five matches.

    Meanwhile, Australia’s Alyssa Healy, her team-mate Megan Schutt and New Zealand’s Leigh Kasperek made it to the Women’s Player of the Month nominees.

    Winners will be announced every second Monday of the month on the ICC’s digital channels. 

    Fans can vote for their favourite players, both male and female on given links by ICC or directly by going to ICC’s website.

  • Governor Sindh Visits K-Electric’s BQPS-III Power Plant, Reviews Swift Progress of Unit One

    Governor Sindh Visits K-Electric’s BQPS-III Power Plant, Reviews Swift Progress of Unit One

    Governor Sindh Imran Ismail visited K-Electric’s Bin Qasim Power Station-III (BQPS-III) project to review the progress on the latest addition to Karachi’s power network. The visit followed a meeting between KE’s Senior Leadership and the Governor Sindh where KE presented an update on the company’s preparedness for Ramadan and the 2021 summer season.

    BQPS-III is a USD 650 million project which will be adding 900 MW of generation capacity to KE’s existing network. This mega-project is progressing on the back of close collaboration between leading engineering firms who are partnering with KE to achieve a shared vision of empowering Karachi. Work is progressing swiftly, and the first unit of 450 MW is over 70% complete and is expected to come online in the next 5 to 6 weeks. The high-efficiency plant will be utilizing RLNG as its primary fuel source. Not only is this expected to reduce the carbon footprint, the inclusion of RLNG will further diversify the company’s fuel mix and bring savings by lowering import costs for the government by eliminating the need for furnace oil.

    KE officials were joined by senior representatives from Siemens, SSGC, and PLL, who apprised the Governor of the progress on the construction of a spur pipeline which will be supplying 150mmcfd of gas to BQPS-III, which is keeping pace with the plant’s progress and is also over 90% complete. The underlying Gas Supply Agreement between SSGC and PLL is also in advanced stages and is expected to be finalized as soon as necessary approvals are received from the Government, ensuring an adequate supply of fuel to energize the plant.

    Commenting on his visit, Governor Imran Ismail said, “The sincerity of the Government of Pakistan is evident in the support they have extended to KE, and I am pleased to see that Sehr and Iftar times during this Ramadan are exempt from load-shed as a result. I’m monitoring the situation daily to ensure that the best possible facilitation is given to the citizens of Karachi. Seeing the scale and progress of work and the commitment with which KE is working, I feel positive for the future of the city. KE’s management and representatives from Siemens, SSGC, and PLL have assured me that they are working to complete the project on time, and I have instructed them to resolve any bottlenecks that may affect the energization of the plant which is expected to be inaugurated by the Honorable Prime Minister. In this process, I have also assured them of my fullest support from my office and from the Government of Pakistan.”

    CEO K-Electric, Moonis Alvi said, “We’re grateful to the Governor Imran Ismail sahab and our partners at Siemens, SSGC, and PLL for visiting BQPS-III today. The timely execution of this project is critical to meet Karachi’s future demand, and we are all working around the clock to ensure the same. I also want to commend the Government of Pakistan for their support to KE and Karachi, especially during Ramadan which has enabled us to fully support Karachi’s power requirements. We look forward to this support in the summer months as well. Without their assistance and collaboration, it would not be possible for us to realize this dream for Karachi.”

    Speaking with media during his visit to under construction BQPS-III site, Mr. Imran Maniar, Managing Director Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) said, “It is very important for us to work together with KE which is also our largest customer. Timely energization of this plant is necessary and we are working with KE to ensure their RLNG requirement is met. SSGC is pleased to be playing its role in this process.”

  • ‘Eye on idle, ray-ban wearing models’ – Firdous says she supports women empowerment

    ‘Eye on idle, ray-ban wearing models’ – Firdous says she supports women empowerment

    Special Assistant to Punjab’s Chief Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that she is a supporter of women empowerment and has always encouraged women to work. “I being a woman acknowledge the challenges women face in the world,” she said.

    However, while speaking so staunchly on women’s rights, she negated her own stance by saying that she was “also aware of the tactics women pull these days”.

    “I have my eye on the ones that are idle and wear ray-bans and only do modelling,” she told a Lahore News reporter.

    Previously a video of her insulting Assistant Commissioner (AC) Sialkot Sonia Sadaf, went viral on the social media. She was seen shouting at the AC, telling her that Sadaf was getting paid for her work and it was her duty to keep a check on things. She also asked the AC which ‘shameless person’ appointed her.

  • Danyal Zafar shares favourite scene from ‘Tanaa Banaa’

    Danyal Zafar has shared one of his favourite scenes from his ongoing Ramzan special drama Taana Baana.

    The scene which shows Danyal and Alizeh on the beach was “coincidently” also the last scene they shot together.

    “One of my favourite scenes between Zain and Zoya, which coincidentally [also] happened to be the last scene we shot for the drama,” wrote Danyal. “It was a wrap right after this.”

    “When I read in the script that Zain sings for Zoya, I asked Saife Hasan [director] bhai, if I could sing a few lines of the OST, which would kinda break the fourth wall, but could also serve to be the icing on the cake, since it’s been their song and could elevate the ‘romance’ between Zain and Zoya,” he added.

    “In the entirety of the scene, I realised Saife bhai didn’t say anything to us, he was smiling throughout while looking at the monitor; a moment I felt kinda proud of myself because for me that indicated we were doing it right,” continued Zafar, adding: “Or at least well enough to strum a few chords in everyone’s hearts, because everyone was just smiling.”

    Zafar also gave a shot out to his co-actor Alizeh Shah for doing a “phenomenal job”.

    While Taana Baana appears to be a typical romantic comedy, when you start watching it you are immediately pulled into it due to a variety of reasons ranging from the script to the cast and their performances. 

    Featuring Zafar (Zain), Alizeh (Zoya), Javeria Abbasi (Fozia), Aamir Qureshi (Zain’s Father), Ismat Zaidi (Zain’s Dadi ), Komal Rizvi (Zebunnisa) and Hassan Noman(Shahid, Zebnunnisa’s husband), Taana Baana revolves around the newly married couple of Zain and Zoya and the challenges they face.

  • ‘Japan to hire thousands of IT experts from Pakistan’

    ‘Japan to hire thousands of IT experts from Pakistan’

    The Government of Japan has decided to hire thousands of IT professionals from Pakistan in the coming years. As per details, the Japanese government is looking for people with expertise in cloud computing, data sciences, programming and artificial intelligence (AI).

    Delegations from the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) met officials from the Ministry of Overseas and Human Resources Development and experts from the Pakistan Association of Software Houses for IT and ITES (P@SHA) for recruitment.

    It is also mandatory to learn the basic Japanese language besides degrees and required skills to avail job opportunities in Japan.

    Furthermore, the above-stated organisations and departments will give visas, funds for travel and other expenses to the hired candidates.

    Both countries have collaborated because Japan needs programmers and people with expertise in AI and data sciences. But, they added that the Pakistani government have to arrange boot camps for six months to one year to train people with the required skills.

    This step has been taken to balance the cultural diversity as Indians and Bangladeshi IT companies are already dominating the Japanese market.

    The Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) has recently begun to advertise jobs for hiring different professionals.

    Pakistan is currently producing over 25,000 IT graduates every year in various disciplines of IT and computer sciences.

    Experts say that Pakistan’s export of IT professionals could reach nearly 1,000 per year, which is a good number in the prevailing circumstances.

    The local industry has been expanding its businesses in various dimensions in the past one and half years to meet the demand of the local and foreign markets, which has resulted in significant job openings for new graduates in recent months.

    More than 16,000 Pakistanis reside in various cities of Japan. This community maintains a positive image in Japan and linkages with the department of the host country that help Pakistani students in the pursuit of their careers and businesses.

  • Govt will complete its term: CM Punjab

    Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Usman Buzdar on Wednesday said that the government will definitely complete five years and the next general elections will be held in 2023. Talking to Punjab cabinet members and Punjab Assembly parliamentarians, CM Punjab said that Punjab is significantly ahead of all other provinces. Buzdar said that the politics of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is over. He added that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is spending money on backward areas as well, and not just Lahore. “People only want development and prosperity, the PTI government is pursuing equal development of every city,” added Buzdar.

    CM Punjab’s statement comes a day after analyst Sabir Shakir’s video went viral on social media where Shakir claims that the government will not complete its tenure and new elections will be held soon.

    PML-N’s Marriyum Aurangzeb said that this (new election) is the need of the hour. The country is facing high inflation and the people are suffering under the governance of PTI, She said.

  • Is ‘Bennifer’ back after seventeen years?

    Is ‘Bennifer’ back after seventeen years?

    Jennifer Lopez, who recently called off her engagement with Alex Rodriguez after four years together, was spotted hanging out with ex-beau Ben Affleck. Lopez and Affleck dated from 2002 to 2004 and their relationship also ended with a broken engagement.

    According to reports, the couple formerly known as ‘Bennifer,’ spent an entire week in Los Angeles. Despite having split up for more than seventeen years, the duo was spotted spending time together at Lopez’s LA mansion. The Oscar winner was photographed multiple times going to J Lo’s California home during the day after having been picked up in a white Escalade SUV that allegedly belongs to Lopez.

    While the pair have not been spotted together, Page Six reported that “security picks him [Affleck] up at a nearby location and drops him off after spending a few hours at her house.”

    “They have spent time together in L.A. over the past week,” reported People Magazine. “They have a lot of love for each other. They have always admired each other.”

    Meanwhile, an insider reportedly shut down rumours of a rekindling romance, saying that the duo have “always been friends and they have seen each other through the years.”

    Affleck and Lopez were engaged in 2002 but they postponed their wedding in 2003. They split months later in January 2004. Lopez called her breakup with Affleck “probably my first big heartbreak.”

    It has also been reported that J Lo has been seeing famous friends after her breakup with Rodriguez. She allegedly also met up with another ex Marc Anthony.