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  • US Electoral College will vote today to confirm Biden’s presidential win

    US Electoral College will vote today to confirm Biden’s presidential win

    United States Electors will gather in state capitols across the country today to formally vote for Joe Biden as the next US president, effectively ending President Donald Trump’s frenzied but failing attempt to overturn his loss in the November 3 election.

    The state-by-state votes, traditionally an afterthought, have taken on outsized significance this year in light of Trump’s unprecedented assault on the nation’s democratic process. Pushing false claims of widespread fraud, Trump has pressured state officials to throw the election results out and declare him the winner.

    In the United States, a candidate becomes president not by winning a majority of the national popular vote but through an Electoral College system, which allots electoral votes to the 50 states and the District of Columbia largely based on their population. 

    Election results show Biden, the Democratic former vice president, won 306 of the 538 electoral votes available – exceeding the necessary 270. Trump, a Republican, earned 232.

    In capitols such as Lansing, Michigan; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Atlanta, Georgia, electors – typically party loyalists – will gather to formally cast those votes.

    While there are sometimes a handful of “rogue” electors who vote for someone other than the winner of their state’s popular vote, the vast majority rubber-stamp their state’s results, and officials do not expect anything different on Monday.

    Trump has called on Republican state legislators to appoint their own electors, essentially ignoring the will of the voters. State lawmakers have largely dismissed the idea.

    The votes cast on Monday will be sent to Congress to be officially counted on January 6, the final stage of America’s complex election process.

    Trump said late last month he will leave the White House if the Electoral College votes for Biden, but has since pressed on with his unprecedented campaign to overturn his defeat, filing without success numerous lawsuits challenging state vote counts. On Friday, the US Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by Texas that sought to invalidate the results in four states that Biden won.

    Once the Electoral College vote is complete, Trump’s sole remaining gambit would be to convince Congress not to certify the count on Jan. 6. Federal law allows individual lawmakers to challenge states’ electoral votes, which prompts both the House of Representatives and the Senate to debate the objections before voting on whether to sustain them.

    Mo Brooks, a conservative Republican congressman, has vowed to file challenges when Congress reviews the vote next month, though it is all but certain both chambers would reject his effort. Democrats control the House, while several moderate Republicans in the Senate have already publicly accepted Biden’s victory.

    In 2016, Trump won the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote to Democrat Hillary Clinton by nearly 3 million votes. The formal vote earned extra attention when some Democratic activists called for electors to “go rogue” against Trump. In the end, seven electors broke ranks, an unusually high number but still far too few to sway the outcome.

    ‘Landmines’

    “There are a lot of landmines in the Electoral College, and this election really revealed a lot of them,” he said.

    Even if Monday’s vote runs smoothly, Trump’s efforts – such as encouraging state legislatures to appoint their own sets of “dueling” electors – have exposed the potential flaws in the system, said Robert Alexander, a professor at Ohio Northern University who has written a book about the Electoral College.

    While the electoral votes normally involve some pomp and circumstance, most events this year will be significantly scaled back due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    In Michigan, for instance, the 16 electors are allowed to bring only a single guest; Arizona has shifted its ceremony from the capitol building to an unassuming government facility and pared down the list of invitees. At least one state, Nevada, intends to hold its electoral vote entirely virtually.

    The process of choosing electors varies by state. In some, state parties pick electors at local or state conventions, while in others, the party leadership chooses the slate. In Pennsylvania, the presidential candidates themselves pick their electors, while in California, Democratic congressional nominees select them.

  • PM Imran prays for Maulana Tariq Jamil’s speedy recovery

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has extended his prayers and best wishes to Maulana Tariq Jamil after he tested positive for COVID-19. The renowned religious scholar has been admitted to the hospital on his doctor’s advise.

    “Praying for Maulana Tariq Jamil’s speedy and full recovery from the COVID-19”, wrote PM Khan on social media.

    Maulana Tariq Jamil on Sunday had announced that he has tested positive for coronavirus.

    “For the past few days, I have been feeling unwell. On getting tested for COVID, it came positive,” he shared on social media. “I have been admitted to the hospital on the advice of doctors, special prayers are requested.”

    Read more – Maulana Tariq Jamil apologises to nation for controversial remarks against women

    Meanwhile, Senator Faisal Javed Khan has also extended his best wishes to Maulana Tariq.

  • Faryal Mehmood wants everyone to leave her marriage alone

    Faryal Mehmood wants everyone to leave her marriage alone

    Faryal Mehmood has quashed all rumours and speculation regarding her and husband Daniyal Raheal’s split. Fans and followers had been speculating that all is not well between the couple and that the two are heading towards a divorce just a few months after their marriage.

    In a note posted to social media, Faryal said: “I have been noticing posts all over social media about me and my husband splitting up! Just because I don’t post pictures of him on a regular basis considering we have conflicting schedules, we chose to spend time with each other instead of trying to show and prove to you guys that our marriage is surviving.”

    “I’d like you guys to leave my marriage up to me and Daniyal and focus on issues that are important in your own lives,” she added. “It’s a shame honestly!”

    Faryal and Daniyal tied the knot in an intimate nikkah ceremony in May this year. Earlier when the divorce rumours first circulated, Daniyal posted pictures of the two celebrating Faryal’s birthday to shut them down.

  • Pakistan takes money from China to pay back $1bn Saudi loan

    Pakistan takes money from China to pay back $1bn Saudi loan

    Pakistan will return $1 billion to Saudi Arabia this week with the help from China that agreed to lend Islamabad $1-1.5bn on a short notice to pay back the Saudi loan.

    It may be noted here that Saudi Arabia had provided Pakistan a financial package, originally estimated at $6.2 billion, to help the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan to avoid looming default on international debt obligations two years ago.

    However, due to apparent strain in ties, the Saudis have already suspended the oil facility and taken a billion back. Pakistan paid it back as a first tranche in May this year. Pakistan returned $1 billion to Saudi Arabia after taking an equal amount of loan from China. Reports claim that the next tranche will be paid by the coming month to clear the remaining Saudi dues.

    The government has also not been able to get the suspended $6 billion IMF programme restored, which is making it difficult for it to continue uninterrupted foreign inflows.

    By Sept last year, Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government had admitted to taking $10.37 billion debt from different countries and international lenders.

    In a written reply to a question in the National Assembly, Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar had said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government secured $10.37 billion from various governments and international institutions from August 14, 2018, to September 30, 2019.

    The government, during this period, received $1.54 billion from China, $151.79 million from Saudi Arabia, $68.6 million from France, $0.4 million from Germany, $62.48 million from Japan, and $0.01 million from Kuwait.

  • Ministers call PDM jalsa in Lahore ‘flop show’

    Ministers call PDM jalsa in Lahore ‘flop show’

    The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) jalsa in Lahore has drawn flak from the ruling party’s ministers for organising a ‘flop’ rally amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    Information and Broadcasting Minister Senator Shibli Faraz said the atmosphere at the PDM’s Lahore jalsa was “as cold as today’s weather”, adding that the opposition could only gather “10,000-15,000 people”.

    “Lahore has outright dismissed them. Lahore has rejected Maryam Nawaz,” he commented, adding that while the atmosphere could be “heated up on the television, it was cold at the venue”.

    Punjab CM’s information aide Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the PDM failed to attract Lahoris to its jalsa. She said the government allowed the joint opposition to organise its power show and didn’t resort to tear gas or anything of the sort.

    Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the Pakistani people were “not ready to be fooled by these thieves and looters” again.” The political clowns who looted people have reunited once again,” he added. “How can those who hold rallies amid a strong [second] wave of the coronavirus pandemic be well-wishers of the common people,” he inquired.

    PM’s Special Assistant on Political Communications Dr Shahbaz Gill called the jalsa a “flop show”, whereas PTI lawmaker Ali Zaidi announced Umrah tickets for first five opposition lawmakers to resign.

    “The Opposition will have to account for its corruption. NROs will not be given to anyone,” Zaidi added.

    PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan commented on how today’s jalsa was “another flop show” and that the “PDM is doing back-to-back flop rallies”.

    “The number of people who come to their [PDM’s] meeting in total are equal to the number of people we have on the stage in our [PTI’s rallies],” he added.

  • Sanam Jung tests positive for COVID, has no severe symptoms

    Sanam Jung tests positive for COVID, has no severe symptoms

    Sanam Jung has revealed that she and her daughter have tested positive for COVID-19.

    In a story posted to her Instagram, Sanam said: “I would like to inform all my well wishers that I have tested positive for COVID-19.”

    “My daughter and I have been in complete isolation and thankfully, Alhumdullilah have no severe symptoms,” she added.

    She also urged people to wear a mask and follow all other safety guidelines. “I would request all of you to take this pandemic seriously. Covid is real. Please take the necessary precautions. Wear a mask and avoid public spaces. Stay indoors and be safe.”

    Earlier on Sunday, Mahira Khan also announced that she has tested positive for COVID-19.

    “It’s been rough but it will be ok soon, inshAllah,” the actor had said.

    Meanwhile, Neelam Muneer also tested positive for COVID-19 last week while Behroze Sabzwari has recovered from the virus after spending a few days in the hospital.

  • A Simple secret to Sheheryar Munawar’s success

    A Simple secret to Sheheryar Munawar’s success

    After working both on and off the screen as an accomplished actor and a producer, Sheheryar Munawar has come a long way since his debut in 2012.

    The 32-year-old delivered one of the biggest local releases of 2019, Parey Hut Love, and is all set to make a comeback on television after six long years in ARY Digital’s Pehli Si Mohabbat. Sheheryar’s stint in the industry as an actor as well as a producer means that he knows how to tackle two different mediums – TV and film.

    Talking to ARY News, Sheheryar shared how he manages to tread the fine line between the two polar mediums, highlighting the technical differences between them. “As an actor, even your movements are part of your acting. When you’re studying acting or working, dialogue delivery is one thing but the movement also plays an important role. I feel that differs quite a bit,” he said.

    He explained how on TV since the screen is restricted shots are taken differently. “You shoot a film shot to shot but for TV, you usually do a long master,” he said, adding how since a film is larger than life so you have more liberty to take risks. “But on TV, the screen is smaller so you have to be careful with how far you can go before risking believability.”

    Referring back to his comment about the difference in dialogue delivery, Sheheryar shared that the pace differs as well. “Usually, while doing a film, you add a punch to the dialogue, but on TV, returning to it after so long, I’ve noticed that the pacing of the dialogue is a little slower.”

    Having broken into the industry relevantly recently and by virtue of his work, the actor had hard-hitting advice for the younger lot looking to find a strong footing in the entertainment world. “Complete your education and only then come into this field!” he exclaimed.

    Sheheryar went on to explain: “A good and complete education is perhaps even more important in this field because you become a public figure and your education shows, which helps you.” He also emphasised the importance of being in control and disciplined when it comes to your work.

    “Contrary to what many may have heard, if you want to be successful, you need to be disciplined,” he said, adding, “If you have been called at nine, come in at nine with your homework done, your dialogues and scenes ready and with your research complete.”

    He had one last pearl of wisdom for newcomers: “If you’re going to do this, do it wholeheartedly with hard work. Don’t just run after fame.”

  • IN PICTURES: Ayeza Khan, Danish Taimoor’s family vacay

    IN PICTURES: Ayeza Khan, Danish Taimoor’s family vacay

    Power couple Danish Taimoor and Ayeza Khan are currently enjoying vacations with their family abroad. While it is not clear where the family is vacationing, the actors have been sharing pictures from their trip on social media. In the pictures, the duo can be seen cruising the waters with their fam including daughter Hoorain Taimoor and son Rayan Taimoor.

    Read more – The Current Ranking: Pakistani celebs and their followers on Instagram

    The couple also shared romantic photos of themselves.

    “Smell the sea and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly,” wrote Ayeza in the caption of one of her posts.

    Here are the two chilling while turning up the heat.

  • India’s disinformation campaign

    India’s disinformation campaign

    The EU DisinfoLab, a Brussels-based NGO that focuses on researching and tackling sophisticated disinformation campaigns targeting the European Union (EU), its member states, core institutions, and core values, has uncovered a 15-year-old operation by India.

    Titled ‘Indian Chronicles: deep dive into a 15-year operation targeting the EU and UN to serve Indian interests’, the DisinfoLab termed this as the “largest network” of disinformation they have exposed so far. According to their research, India used hundreds of fake media outlets and the identity of a dead professor to target Pakistan.

    According to the BBC, the researchers uncovered 265 pro-Indian sites operating across 65 countries and traced them back to a Delhi-based Indian holding company, the Srivastava Group (SG). BBC says that the content produced on fake media outlets is amplified with the help of Asian News International (ANI) – India’s largest wire service and a key focus of the investigation.

    Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Saturday rejected the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ “attempt to deny responsibility for the elaborate and reprehensible” disinformation campaign against Pakistan. Indian MEA had earlier said that “India does not practice disinformation campaigns”, a denial that falls flat on its face when you go through the DisinfoLab’s in-depth research.

    It was no secret that India was involved in such disinformation operations globally to discredit Pakistan but the extent of the way these networks has been used is quite eye-opening. In 2017, Geo News reported that “the Indian mission in Geneva is controlling anti-Pakistan activities and the local Swiss administration has been paid heavy amounts in commercial deals for these campaigns across its public transport, road networks, and private business venues” after an expensive multi-faceted campaign in Geneva targeting Pakistan was highlighted when the 36th session of the UNHRC was underway.

    India thinks of itself as a regional superpower in South Asia and leaves no stone unturned to malign Pakistan and has used extensive paid propaganda campaign to achieve its nefarious designs. Last month, Pakistan handed over a dossier on India’s terror campaign to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, urging him to prevail on New Delhi to desist from its illegal and aggressive activities. In light of the new report by EU DisinfoLab, the international community must investigate how the EU and UN were duped by India’s disinformation campaign, including a controversial visit of European parliamentarians (MEPs) to Indian-Occupied Kashmir last year.

    It is pertinent to note that the world continues to ignore the atrocities being committed in Occupied Kashmir by the Indian forces. Global human rights organisations and the international media highlighted Indian atrocities but the international community has largely turned a blind eye to grave human rights violations because of the Indian economic market. It is unfortunate that the world community, due to vested interests tied to the Indian market, has taken no action against India.

    Pakistan must keep highlighting this new report, which was unearthed by a neutral NGO that has nothing to do with Pakistan. The world must wake up to India’s disinformation campaign.

  • Lion manhandled during Maryam Nawaz’s rally rescued by Punjab Wildlife Dept

    Lion manhandled during Maryam Nawaz’s rally rescued by Punjab Wildlife Dept

    The Punjab Wildlife Department has rescued a lion that was being manhandled by supporters during Maryam Nawaz’s rally in Lahore on Thursday.

    According to the Focal Person on Digital Media to CM Punjab Azhar Mashwani, the lion has been shifted to the zoo while the Wildlife Department has initiated legal action against five persons under the Wildlife Act.

    Further reports have suggested that authorities have also detained two PML-N supporters over the incident and fined them Rs 80,000.

    The incident had sparked outrage on social media with netizens demanding the government take action against those involved in harassing the animal during the rally. Under the law, people are not allowed to own wild animals like lions without a permit. It is unclear whether those involved in the incident have one.

    https://twitter.com/wildpakistan/status/1337289938585456640?s=20

    This is not the first time a lion has been spotted at a PML-N rally. Earlier in 2018, a few months before the 2018 General Elections, members of the party brought a lion in a cage to the rally venue in Haripur where Nawaz Sharif addressed his supporters.

    However, for today’s jalsa in Lahore, the PML-N has advised their supporters against bringing any animal. The spokesperson said that it is against the law and the party workers should not do any such thing.