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Tag: social media

  • Trouble, Trouble, Trouble: Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Matty Healy faces backlash from fans for problematic history of islamophobia, racism, sexist jokes

    Trouble, Trouble, Trouble: Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Matty Healy faces backlash from fans for problematic history of islamophobia, racism, sexist jokes

    We knew you were trouble when you walked in like quite literally the receipts are right here.

    Taylor Swift made headlines when the ‘Anti Hero’ singer started dating the frontman of The 1975 band, Matty Healy, after splitting up from her longtime boyfriend, Joe Alwyn.

    However, the news was not received well by fans, who criticised Healy’s problematic history of making racist, sexist and Islamophobic jokes.
    Swift has been extremely vocal about her activism for gay rights and feminism, with songs like ‘Mad Woman’ discussing female rage and sexism, and ‘You Need To Calm Down’ from her Lover album empowering the transgender community.

    It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero? Not for Tay-Tay it seems.

    Fans began sharing clips and problematic posts Healy had posted in the past where he appeared to be mocking Islam. For instance, a fan shared a screenshot of his Instagram stories with a tweet:

    “You start dating a Muslim girl then BOOM”

    Another user shared a clip of ‘The City’ singer’s interview with Brut Mexico where he slammed religious people by saying they should be ashamed of themselves, addin that he had no rights as an athiest.

    “Religious people are always allowed to be offended: ‘Oh, we’re offended by this, I’m offended by that,’ I have to get up every day and read something abhorrent that’s happened in the name of religion.”

    https://twitter.com/msatermnid/status/1657258113324441601?s=20

    The ‘Medicine’ singer has been slammed for his controversial racist and sexist comments about rapper Ice Spice. During his appearance at The Adam Freidland Show, the episode was immediately pulled from Spotify and Apple after backlash, but is still available on Youtube.

    Healy had also courted controversy in January when videos emerged of him doing the Nazi salute on stage, a move that has enraged many Swifties

    https://twitter.com/waystarnatco/status/1618735841593163778?s=20

    These recent controversies have led to many Swifties starting to retract their support for Swift, and even criticising her for working with problematic men but yet being quite vocal about social issues.

    https://twitter.com/hautausschllag/status/1657369980214689793?s=20
    https://twitter.com/gaypolaroid/status/1658883181422968850?s=20

    Fans even began using the hashtag #speakupnow to demand Swift addressed the problematic history of her boyfriend, and stand up for the rights she claims to be advocating.

    https://twitter.com/laurenelectro/status/1658968672428343297?s=20
    https://twitter.com/fruitballtay/status/1659332520536596483?s=20

  • ‘Horrifying’: Twitter users slam ‘Tere Bin’ promo for depicting assault

    Trigger warning: discussions of marital rape, assault

    In the topsy-turvy world that is Pakistan right now, ‘Tere Bin’ is playing its part by keeping fans running around in circles. With the love-hate relationship between the main leads Murtasim (played by Wahaj Ali) and Meerab (Yumna Zaidi) switching from adorable to toxic to downright horrifying in the recent episode, fans have had enough.

    The recent episode of the drama tried to one-up itself to see how low it can go in disappointing its viewers, with once again the writers deciding to bring out the Murtasim caught cheating with Haya card, and ending the episode with Meerab’s assault.

    From the promo, viewers can definitely assume that Meerab has been assaulted by her husband and has chosen to leave him.

    Was it necessary that Murtasim, who is currently one of the most feminist male leads on our screens, be thrown under the bus just to churn up some views? Why did the writer even assume that after stalking, slapping and attempted suicide, this ‘love story’ had to hit its peak with the most heinous thing: domestic violence?

    Legal analyst Reema Omer criticised the scene on Twitter, writing:

    “TW: After months of justifying Murtasim slapping, shoving, dragging, asking Meerab to jump off the roof to prove her chastity + other toxic/violent behaviour, even #TereBin fan club is up in arms over the possible marital r*pe suggested by the promo Some silver lining, I guess.”

    Founder of ‘Something Haute, Aamna Isani wrote that she was shocked by the depiction of assault, and how could this possibly be a chance after this that Murtasim’s character would be redeemed.

    Users were tweeting that they were heartbroken at how the writer of the show has completely destroyed Murtasim’s character

    Many were tweeting that this was the end of their support for the drama, given that there is no possible justification to depict marital rape and domestic abuse.

  • ‘Mein tray le kar khara ho jaoon ga’: Vicky Kaushal refused to purchase expensive bar for wife Katrina Kaif

    Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal and his iconic wife Katrina Kaif have been serving couple goals since their marriage. Although they are very private, small but significant revelations prove how these two are still head over heels in love with each other.

    According to Indian Express, Kaushal recently gave an interview while promoting his latest film ‘Zara Hatke Zara Bachke’ where he was asked about the dynamics he had with his wife at home. The actor revealed that unlike the ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ diva, he is more careful about spending on luxurious things.

    Kaushal narrated a funny discussion between the two about purchasing furniture. He was shocked by Kaif’s suggestion to buy a very pricey bar:

    “We have a lot of discussions about furniture at home. Like for example, Madam (Katrina) wants to have a bar at home. She sent me the bar she is thinking to buy, I saw that and thought ye bohot mehengi hai, main he tray leke kahada ho jauga but ye nahi aayega. This is worth my signing amount! So I said, no, this can’t happen.”

    A Twitter user shared the clip on their account and we agree with the rest, hum sab aik Vicky Kaushal deserve kartay hain.

    Kaushal was also asked a bizzare question about whether he would divorce Kaif if he found a better looking actress, to which the actor responded:

    “Sir, shaam ko ghar bhi jaana hai, aise tede-mede sawaal puch rahe ho, bachcha hu, abhi bada toh hone do! Itna khatarnaak sawaal pucha hai aapne.”

    After which he paused and said that he would be with Kaif for the next few lifetimes:

    “Sir, janmo-janmo tak.”

  • Johnny Depp receives long, standing ovation at Cannes, social media users divided

    Johnny Depp showed up at the Cannes Film Festival a year after a highly publicised court trial with his ex-wife Amber Heard, for the screening of his French period film ‘Jeanne du Barry’, in which he played King Louis XV.

    In a viral clip, the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ actor was seen receiving a thunderous seven minute standing ovation at the premiere of the film.
    Social media users however remained divided on the actor’s comeback.

    Some users were praising how Depp made a powerful comeback after facing years of pushback, being dropped by some major roles, as well as the court trial with his ex-wife Heard, who accused him of domestic abuse and rape.

    Some were enraged at how the prestigious film festival refused to condemn abusers, which lead to the launch of the viral hashtag #cannesyounot, through which Twitter users criticised festival organisers for overlooking allegations of abuse on Depp.

    https://twitter.com/hotline2hades/status/1658758656014405633?s=20

    In an article posted in ‘Liberation’ newspaper, 123 French film workers had criticised the festival’s decision to invite Depp:

    “By rolling out the red carpet to men and women who commit assaults, the festival demonstrates that violence in creative circles can be exercised with complete impunity,” they wrote.

  • Six years later, Sajal Aly, Ahad Raza Mir’s powerful performances in ‘Yakeen Ka Safar’ still enthrall Twitter users

    Pakistani dramas are often seen off with heavy sighs of reliefs because honestly, one less thing to plague our minds on a weekly basis.

    But there are some exceptional acting powerhouses like Sajal Aly and Ahad Raza Mir, who have changed the entertainment industry with their performances as well as their chemistry that no other acting duo has been able to compete with.

    In 2017, ‘Yakeen Ka Safar’ graced our screens, marking the debut of Ahad Raza Mir as Dr Asfandyar, who is shattered after the tragic murder of his brother, Daniyal. While Aly starred as Dr Zubia, who is still devastated by the murder of her mother by her father.

    Seven years after this drama, Twitter users still have not gotten over the duo, who later went on to star together in Aangan (2018) and Ye Dil Mera (2019).

    After a tweet asked their followers to share a clip from one of their favorite dramas, Pakistani Twitter users were quick to champion ‘Yakeen Ka Safar’ as one of the finest productions the entertainment industry has produced.

    https://twitter.com/unhingedbushra/status/1658538852154482690?s=20

    Another actress who has been championed by Twitter users as one of the finest actresses Pakistan has ever seen in Yumna Zaidi, as users shared clips of her tear jerking and powerful performance from ‘Dil Naumeed Tou Nahi’ and ‘Pyar Ke Sadqay’

  • IT minister denies involvement in internet suspension resulting in billion-rupee losses

    IT minister denies involvement in internet suspension resulting in billion-rupee losses

    Following the internet blackout in Pakistan, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Syed Amin-ul-Haque distanced his ministry from the blockage, stating that they were not taken into confidence.

    According to Geo, Haque revealed that mobile internet services were suspended without the Ministry of IT’s consultation. Since 2017, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has not been under the Ministry of IT, and the PTA has been operating independently.

    The minister explained that blocking social media websites or the internet was not the solution to any issue, and he urged people to be open-minded rather than resorting to using a VPN to access blocked sites.

    Haque suggested that instead of completely blocking the internet, it could be blocked in specific areas. He emphasized that the IT sector suffered losses of billions of rupees due to internet blockages.

    The suspension of mobile broadband and restricted access to Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube occurred after violent protests arose in response to the Rangers personnel arresting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court. At least ten people died, and dozens sustained injuries during the days-long protests.

    After almost a seven-day suspension, the government restored access to social media platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. The suspension was recommended by the interior ministry and is the longest continuous shutdown in a country that often suspends communication as a tool to quell unrest. Telecom operators suffered an approximate revenue loss of Rs820 million, which was a significant blow to the sector as the economy remained in a fragile state.

    Additionally, the government blocked major social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook, while YouTube services were slower to control the spread of disinformation.

  • Real Sinf-e-Ahan Naila Kiani summits Mount Lhotse in Nepal

    Real Sinf-e-Ahan Naila Kiani summits Mount Lhotse in Nepal

    Pakistani female mountaineer Naila Kiani has summited Mount Lhotse just two days after scaling Mount Everest.

    On Tuesday morning, Kiani became the first Pakistani woman to summit six 8000-meter mountains after she successfully scaled Mount Lhotse in Nepal.

    Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain in the world at 8,516 metres, after Mount Everest, K2, and Kangchenjunga.

    Apart from Lhotse, the other five 8000 metre mountains Kiani has summited include Everest, K2, Annapurna, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II.
    Kiani’s expedition organisers in Nepal confirmed that she reached on top of Lhotse at 8:13 am local time today morning.

    According to Karrar Haidri of Alpine Club of Pakistan, Kiani is the first Pakistani woman to climb Lhotse and the country’s fastest woman to ascend six peaks higher than 8,000 metres.

    There have been several Pakistani mountaineers who have successfully summited Mount Lhotse and Mount Everest. Nazir Sabir, the first Pakistani to climb Mount Everest, also summited Mount Lhotse, the fourth highest peak in the world.

    He achieved this feat in 2001. Ashraf Aman has also summited both Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse.

    Samina Baig, the first Pakistani woman to climb Mount Everest, has also successfully summited Mount Lhotse. She accomplished the feat in 2014, becoming the first Pakistani woman to summit both peaks.

    Mirza Ali is a Pakistani mountaineer who has climbed both Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse. He achieved this double summit in 2019, becoming the first Pakistani to accomplish this feat within 24 hours.

    These are some of the Pakistani mountaineers who have conquered both Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse, two of the most challenging and renowned peaks in the world.

    Their achievements reflect the determination and skill of Pakistani climbers in tackling the world’s highest mountains.

  • ‘Young Al Pacino or young Robert De Niro?’ A Twitter poll has users shaking, crying and throwing up

    Ever had to make a life-altering decision but faced with two things you absolutely cannot pick between? Yes we’re talking to you.

    Social media is being asked to pick between two of the best actors Hollywood has ever witnessed: Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

    A journalist Ashley Reese was the one who initiated this babe smackdown when she posted a poll on her Twitter account and asked her 60.9 K followers to do the impossible and pick the one who was hotter in their prime.

    The poll went viral with even Pakistani Twitter users stepping in and offer their two cents along with evidence to back it up.

    Like we had amazing fancams from Twitter users defending Al Pacino and his show stopping performance in ‘The Godfather’, ‘Dog Days’ and even ‘Serpico’.

    The gorgeous love letter he wrote for Diane Keaton? Sign us up please

    https://twitter.com/taytertotbitch/status/1657846246680281088?s=20

    As for Robert De Niro… we as well as other Twitter users have no words to describe how gorgeous he was as well.

    Twitter has given their verdict, and the poll came to a tie. But what does our audiences think? Let us know in the comments!

  • Snapchat star creates virtual girlfriend AI chatbot to ‘cure loneliness’

    Snapchat star creates virtual girlfriend AI chatbot to ‘cure loneliness’

    Caryn Marjorie, a Snapchat influencer with 1.8 million subscribers, has launched an AI-powered, voice-based chatbot called CarynAI. The chatbot, described as a “virtual girlfriend,” allows Marjorie’s followers to have private and personalised conversations with an AI version of the influencer.

    The bot, designed by Forever Voices, an AI company, and developed using OpenAI’s GPT4 software, has generated $71,610 in revenue after one week of beta testing with over 1,000 users paying $1 per minute to use it. Marjorie hopes that CarynAI will “cure loneliness” and even features cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy to rebuild physical and emotional confidence that has been taken away by the pandemic.

    However, CarynAI has sparked discourse around the ethics of companion chatbots, as it is not supposed to engage in sexually explicit interactions, but Marjorie stated that it had gone “rogue” and that her team is working around the clock to prevent this from happening again.

    Moreover, Irina Raicu, the director of internet ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, expressed concern that CarynAI’s claims to potentially “cure loneliness” are not backed up by sufficient psychological or sociological research, and the chatbot adds “a second layer of unreality” to parasocial relationships between influencers and fans.

    Despite the backlash and even death threats, Marjorie is proud of her team’s work, with CarynAI being the first step in the right direction to cure loneliness. However, Raicu emphasised that influencers should be aware of the Federal Trade Commission’s guidance on artificial intelligence products, and Meyer, CEO of Forever Voices, said that his company takes ethics seriously and is looking to hire a chief ethics officer. On Friday, Marjorie tweeted that “if you are rude to CarynAI, it will dump you.”

  • Social media calls out Indian filmmaker for accusing Imran Khan of ‘Illegally’ using Faiz’s poem

    Indian Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri came under social media fire after stating that Imran Khan has “illegally” used ‘‘Hum Dekhenge” song in a video for his instagram handle.

    The song was recently used in the Indian movie, The Kashmir Files.

    Vivek Agnihotri shared a clip of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Instagram post. In the video “Hum Dekhenge” is playing in the background.

    The Filmmaker, in his tweet wrote, “See the power of Indic cinema. The official account of @ImranKhanPTI is using the official song of #TheKashmirFiles illegally in his official video on Instagram.” This incident exposes the double standards of Pakistan when it comes to intellectual property and copyright infringement.”

    Social media was quick to point out that the song is actually Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed’s poem, which is not exclusive to ‘Kashmir Flies’.

    Have a look at the tweets:

    https://twitter.com/SamiyaLatief/status/1656949680931246081