google-site-verification=PQhoeY8jjSrcyLjfBbnc50coDKLcSE_kcv93i2a1668 An intelligent writer: 2019-03-17

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Saturday, March 23, 2019

PM Khan orders probe into alleged forced conversion, underage marriages of Hindu girls

Prime Minister Imran Khan
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday said Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered Sindh government to launch probe into reports of abduction, forced conversion and underage marriages of two teenage Hindu girls and to take immediate steps for their recovery.

In a Twitter post earlier today, the minister informed that Prime Minister Imran has issued directives to the Sindh chief minister to look into reports that the girls in question have been taken to Rahim Yar Khan.

The incident came to light after the father and brother of the girls, in videos that went viral on social media, said that the two sisters were abducted and forcefully converted to Islam. In a separate video, however, the minor girls can be seen saying that they accepted Islam of their own free will.

Chaudhry said the prime minister has also ordered the Sindh and Punjab governments to devise a joint action plan in light of the incident, and to take concrete steps to prevent such incidents from happening again.

"The minorities in Pakistan make up the white of our flag and all of our flag's colours are precious to us. Protection of our flag is our duty," the info minister added.
Chaudhry had also tweeted on Saturday that the government had taken notice of reports of the alleged forced conversion and underage marriages of the two girls in Ghotki.

His statement came in response to former Indian Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju, who had called out Prime Minister Imran Khan on social media.

"Sir! Notice has already been taken and ministry of Human Rights has been asked for an inquiry ll update asap, rest assure its Naya Pakistan we ll not allow it to become Modi’s India where rights of minorities have become a joke," Chaudhry had replied. 

The incident was highlighted by various activists including civil rights advocate Jibran Nasir, who posted a thread highlighting the plight of the family in question and called on the authorities to probe and take action.

Last year, Prime Minister Imran during his election campaign had said his party's [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf] agenda was to uplift the various religious groups across Pakistan and said they would take effective measures to prevent forced marriages of Hindu girls.



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Complete shutter down strike in Occupied Kashmir over banning JKLF

A complete shutter down strike in Indian Occupied Kashmir
A complete shutter down strike is being observed in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) against the banning of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) by the Indian government, Kashmir Media Services reported on Sunday.

Call for the shutdown has been given by the Joint Resistance Leadership.

The Indian government banned the JKLF led by illegally detained Muhammad Yasin Malik yesterday for its pro-freedom activities. Yasin Malik is presently imprisoned at Kot Bhalwal Jail in Jammu under draconian law, Public Safety Act.

The Joint Resistance Leadership in a statement issued from Srinagar said, the order to ban Jamaat-e-Islami and JKLF is nothing but an act of political vengeance and an oppressive tactic to suppress the just movement of people of Jammu and Kashmir.

It said that such repressive measures of India would not be able to cow down the Kashmiri people.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people had participated in the funeral prayers of two youth, Yasir Ahmed Shah and Showkat Ahmed, martyred by Indian troops in Shopian on Friday.

Thousands of people gathered in Harmain and Arhama, the native areas of the martyred youth, and participated in their last rites.



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Auction of PM Imran’s signed bat, ball fetch millions in Canada

An autographed bat and ball of Prime Minister Imran Khan were auctioned for raising funds of Dams
An autographed bat and ball of Prime Minister Imran Khan were auctioned for raising funds for the construction of Diamer Basha and Mohmand dams in Pakistan at an event here.

The PM’s signed bat fetched $17,000 at a fundraising event while the ball was sold for $ 10,000. ‘I AM Pakistan Movement’s chairman Ahmed Sayyed purchased the bat.

Former chief justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senator Faisal Javed attended the event.

Speaking on the occasion, the PTI leader said water worth about $22 billion went to waste in Pakistan every year, adding that the government had worked out a strategy for the construction of the Diamer Basha and Mohmand dams.

Separately, the PTI senator in a tweet said: “Masha’ALLAH After Montreal,Toronto & Ottawa – Calgary too responded v well.Massive gathering of our diaspora.Balls signed by PM ImranKhan won away by LalaArif Waraich $35,000 & MalikHafeez $30,000 Calgary Pledging $425,786 Canada reaches $2 Million Welldone IAPWM #DamsFundRaisers.” 



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Pakistan is gaining progress under confident leadership today: Maleeha Lodhi

Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi
Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations (UN) Maleeha Lodhi on Sunday said public confidence in the future of Pakistan is at an unprecedented level at the moment.

Speaking at the Pakistan Day celebrations, the ambassador read out a special message from President Arif Alvi and said, “The significance of Pakistan Day this time comes with the national morale at a record high and public confidence in the future of the country also at an unprecedented level.”

"It is also borne out by the way the nation had responded to the "recent challenges from our neighbourhood," she added.

The Pakistani envoy added, resilience and self-belief were the defining features of Pakistan’s journey. “A journey that saw the country braving the odds and defying the pessimism some held about the country's future,” she said.

“Today, Pakistanis look to the future with hope and optimism,” Lodhi added.

Speaking about the significance of Pakistan Resolution in the freedom struggle, the Pakistani envoy paid rich tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah who led the historic struggle of the Muslims of the sub-continent for an independent homeland.

She added under a new and confident leadership Pakistan today, is making important gains in its journey towards progress and prosperity. "We remain determined to translate Quaid’s vision into reality and ensure that people of Pakistan continue to enjoy the fruits of peace, security and development in a prospering welfare state."

Later, addressing a community gathering at the Pakistani Consulate, ambassador Lodhi said the gusto with which Pakistan Day was celebrated in the country and outside is a testimony of a living nation that is self-confident and eager to take part in nation-building activities.

She appreciated the role of the diaspora and said it was a model community but still needed to do more in portraying a positive image of the country.



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Hundreds of thousands march in London to demand new Brexit referendum

Hundreds of thousands of people opposed to Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union marched
Hundreds of thousands of people opposed to Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union marched through central London on Saturday to demand a new referendum as the deepening Brexit crisis risked sinking Prime Minister Theresa May’s premiership.

After three years of tortuous debate, it is still uncertain how, when or even if Brexit will happen as May tries to plot a way out of the gravest political crisis in at least a generation.

Marchers set off in central London with banners proclaiming “the best deal is no Brexit” and “we demand a People’s Vote” in what organisers said was more than one million people strong and the biggest anti-Brexit protest yet.

“I would feel differently if this was a well-managed process and the government was taking sensible decisions. But it is complete chaos,” Gareth Rae, 59, who travelled from Bristol to attend the demonstration, told Reuters.

“The country will be divided whatever happens and it is worse to be divided on a lie.”

While the country and its politicians are divided over Brexit, most agree it is the most important strategic decision the United Kingdom has faced since World War Two.

Thousands of pro-EU protesters gathered for the “Put it to the people march” at Marble Arch on the edge of Hyde Park around midday, before marching through the landmarks Picadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square and past the prime minister’s office in Downing Street to finish outside parliament.

March organisers estimated that more than one million people turned out for the march, exceeding a similar rally held in October, when supporters said about 700,000 people turned up.

It was not possible to independently verify the figure, although a Reuters reporter said the march was so busy that some of the crowd had to be diverted off the main route. Police declined to give an estimate on the number of protesters.

The one million estimate would make it London’s second biggest demonstration after a rally against the Iraq War in February 2003, which organisers said close to 2 million people attended.

“Never gonna give EU up”

A range of politicians, including from the governing Conservative Party, addressed a crowd, which packed out Parliament Square and left some unable to get near.

Among them was Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson, who swung behind a People’s Vote on May’s deal despite party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s reticence on the issue, and Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon.

Phoebe Poole, 18, who was holding a placard saying “never gonna give EU up” in reference to a song by 1980s popstar Rick Astley, was not old enough to vote in the 2016 referendum.

“We have come here today because we feel like our future has been stolen from us. It is our generation that is going to have to live with the consequences of this disaster,” she told Reuters.

“It is going to make it harder to get a job. You are already seeing a lot of large companies leaving. I am worried about the future.”

Two hundred coaches from around Britain were booked to take people to London for the march.

A petition to cancel Brexit altogether gained 4.39 million signatures in just three days after May told the public “I am on your side” over Brexit and urged lawmakers to get behind her deal.

But protesters disagreed with May’s claim that she is on the side of the British public, with one placard reading: “You do not speak for us Theresa.”

In the June 23, 2016 referendum, 17.4 million voters, or 52 percent, backed Brexit while 16.1 million, or 48 percent, backed staying in the bloc.

But ever since, opponents of Brexit have been exploring ways to hold another referendum.

Some opinion polls have shown a slight shift in favour of remaining in the European Union, but there has yet to be sustained evidence of a decisive change in attitudes.

May has repeatedly ruled out holding another Brexit referendum, saying it would deepen divisions and undermine support for democracy. Brexit supporters say a second referendum would trigger a major constitutional crisis.

Those favouring Britain remaining in the EU say Brexit will bring economic hardship and disrupt trade, as well as an end to many social benefits, including the right to live and work in 27 other countries.

Supporters of Brexit say the divorce might bring some short-term instability, but in the longer term Britain will thrive if cut free from what they cast as a doomed experiment in German-dominated unity that is falling far behind other major powers.

“We already put it to the people. And the people roared,” pro-leave group Change Britain said in a tweet.



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Indian PM’s message is tantamount to ‘better late than never’: FM Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Saturday that Pakistan welcomes the message of good will on Pakistan Day by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, it will have to stay vigilant until the Indian elections in May.

The FM was speaking to media where he said that the Indian PM’s message is tantamount to ‘better late than never’.

“We have to stay vigilant,” said the foreign minister, adding that any untoward move cannot be ruled out until May 19, the day India goes to vote.

On the question pertaining to Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto’s allegations regarding banned organisations, the minister said that Bilawal should tell himself what sort of action he recommends in such a situation.

“If he were in the government, what would he have done?... He should tell us in writing and we are willing to talk on this” said Qureshi.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday Indian Prime Minister Modi wished him ahead of Pakistan Day, March 23.

PM Imran in a tweet said that he received a message from his Indian counterpart, expressing good wishes for the neighbouring country.

“It is time that people of the sub-continent work together for a democratic, peaceful, progressive and prosperous region, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence,” said the Indian PM according to the tweet.

 In his response the PM stated: “As we celebrate Pakistan Day, I believe it is time to begin a comprehensive dialogue with India to address and resolve all issues, especially the central issue of Kashmir, and forge a new relationship based on peace and prosperity for all our people.”



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Russian Scientists Detect MASSIVE Spike in Solar Activity

 Russian Scientists Detect MASSIVE Spike in Solar Activity
When directed toward Earth, powerful bursts of energy from the Sun's surface are capable of causing mass geomagnetic disturbances, burning out man-made electrical and communications equipment and power grids, and even leading to a higher incidence of cancer.

Solar activity has increased substantially in recent days as the Sun continues to consume the fuel from the previous solar cycle, monitoring by the Moscow-based Laboratory of X-Ray Astronomy of the Sun has indicated.

"A sharp increase in solar activity has been observed over the past 24 hours in space monitoring equipment providing information about the flow of solar X-ray radiation," the lab, part of the Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, noted in a press statement.

According to scientists, monitoring from March 20 and 21 registered three 'C-class' solar flares (powerful bursts of solar energy which thankfully, usually have little to no effect on Earth).

Furthermore, for the first time in several months, the institute's 'index of flare activity' showed an increase from 'green' to 'yellow' danger level, with peak values reaching 3.6 on its 10-point scale Friday.

Researchers noted a spike in solar activity which was "clearly visible" in photographic observation, including a bright emission of light created by hot plasma emanating from the Sun's surface.
Astronomers attributed the spike in solar activity to the Sun's burning out of the remainder of its 'fuel' from the 24th solar cycle.

"Such fuel includes magnetic fields which are formed under the Sun's surface and are carried by streams of plasma toward its surface, together with excess energy. It is this energy that is then burned out in the form of flashes," the scientists explained.

The astronomers expect the formation of Solar cycle 25 to begin near to the Sun's poles, but have indicated that the cycle has yet to give any indication of appearing.

"It remains a mystery as to why the magnetic fields of cycle 24 remain present on the Sun, seven years after the cycle reached its maximum in 2012," researchers noted.

When sufficiently intense, flares of solar energy threaten to cause extensive damage to man-made infrastructure, from spacecraft and satellite instruments in near-Earth orbit to entire power grids on the planet itself, particularly during periods when the magnetic shield normally sparing Earth from deadly solar and cosmic radiation is in a weakened state.

In 2011, the US National Academy of Science calculated that a repeat of a major solar storm like the one which struck the planet in 1859 could lead to $2 trillion in initial damage alone, and take up to a decade to repair.

Cycle 24, the current solar cycle, began in January 2008, and has the lowest recorded sunspot activity since recordkeeping began in the year 1750. Cycle 24 was initially expected to end in mid-2018.



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Dream of playing the role of female James Bond, Diane Kruger reveals

 Dream of playing the role of female James Bond, Diane Kruger reveals
Actress Diane Kruger, who has played the role of a spy in "The Operative", says she had a dream of playing female James Bond in films.

In an interview to The I Paper, Kruger spoke about her upcoming film and her dream of being the first woman to portray 007 - who is currently played by Daniel Craig.

She said: "I always thought it must be so cool to be James Bond. But the realities of being a spy are closer to what we did. It's cool, but I don't dream ..

"The Operative" follows a rogue spy from Israel's feared national intelligence force Mossad, who vanishes while attending her father's funeral. 

Kruger also insisted that away from the cameras she is a very "introverted" person and it is her acting career that has forced her to be more "outgoing" to her benefit. 

"I'm very introverted, in my real life, to a fault. I think I can appear cold or standoffish. I really have to force myself to be outgoing. Acting has, for me, been the  .. 



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Pakistan, ADB sign grant agreement for National Disaster Risk Management Fund

Pakistan, ADB sign grant agreement for NDRMF
Pakistan and Asian Development Bank has signed a grant agreement for National Disaster Risk Management Fund.

Secretary, Economic Affairs Division Noor Ahmed and ADB Country Director Ms Xiaohong Yang signed a grant agreement for NDRMF.

The grant will be utilized for enhancing resilience and reducing disaster risk in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A Project Agreement for Swiss Grant was also signed between Country Director, ADB, Xiaohong Yang, and Chief Executive Officer, NDRMF Lt. Gen. (R) Nadeem Ahmed.

National Disaster Risk Management Fund has been established as a government-owned public limited company with technical and financial assistance of Asian Development Bank.

The objective of the Fund is to establish a sustainable mechanism to support disaster risk reduction and financing instruments that can enhance Pakistan’s resilience to future disasters.



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Sacred Book Holds Key to the MYSTERY OF THE PYRAMIDS: Historian

 Sacred Book Holds Key to the MYSTERY OF THE PYRAMIDS
According to the historian, the mysterious manuscript he mentions may hold “the answer to all the things we are looking for regarding the history of the pyramids of Egypt”, even though the book seems to have “disappeared from history” completely.

Historian Matt Sibson, author of the Ancient Architects channel on YouTube, has declared that one millennia-old document may finally allow scientists to uncover the secrets of some of the most enigmatic buildings in the world – the Egyptian pyramids.

As Sibson explained, a Egyptian priest and scholar named Manetho who lived around 300 BC came in possession of a "sacred book" written by Suphis, 4th dynasty king "believed to be the same person as Khufu", the legendary pharaoh who is believed to be the person responsible for commissioning the Great Pyramid of Giza.

"The sacred book intrigued me as it has never been spoken about before or since", he told the Daily Star. "It’s interesting that the two pieces of information Manetho records about Suphis is that he built the Great Pyramid AND wrote a sacred book.

I think this means that the two are related. Maybe the sacred book holds all the answers to the pyramid conundrums".

He pointed out, however, that the book “seems to have disappeared from history” as none of the later works contain any mention of this manuscript.

"I have a feeling that this book holds the answer to all the things we are looking for regarding the history of the pyramids of Egypt", Sibson stated.

Earlier this month, Sibson also claimed that two missing ancient stelae that used to be located in front of the Sphinx may help solve the mystery of an enigmatic doorway rumoured to be located beneath that ancient monument.



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President confers top civil, military awards amongst different personalities

President confers top civil, military awards amongst different personalities
An investiture ceremony to confer civil and military awards amongst different personalities for their contributions in different fields is underway at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad.

President Arif Alvi is decorating the awards to the recipients.

Hilal-e-Imtiaz Military and Sitara-e-Basalat were conferred on officers and jawans of all three services.

The President also conferred 127 civil awards amongst different personalities for their contributions in different fields.

These include one Nishan-i-Imtiaz, three Hilal-e-Pakistan, eight Hilal-e-Imtiaz, three Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam, four Sitara-e- Pakistan, four Sitara-e-Shuja'at, thirty four Sitara-e-Imtiaz, 28 President's Award for Pride of Performance, one Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam, one Tamgha-e-Pakistan, 23 Tamgha-e-Shuja'at and seventeen Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.

Amongst the prominent personalities being conferred with awards include martyred Nawabzada Mir Siraj Khan Raisani, Aftab Sultan, Radio Pakistan's newscaster and anchor person Ms Ishrat Fatima, cricket stars Wasim Akram , Waqar Younis, Yasir Shah, film actresses Babra Sharif Reema Khan and Mehwish Hayat, Actors Muhammad Shabbir Jan and Iftikhar Ahmad Thakar, singers Sajjad Ali and Munir Hussain (late).



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GB govt will setup endowment fund for deserving student: CM Hafiz

Chief Minister GB Hafiz Hafeez ur Rehman
Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeez ur Rehman has said that provincial government is utilizing all available resources for the uplift of education sector in Gilgit Baltistan.

This he said while addressing to a function held in government boys high school NO-1 Gilgit in connection with prize distribution to the position holders of Gilgit Baltistan in Matriculation and intermediate examinations in the year 2018.

He said that provincial government will setup endowment fund for the assistance of deserving university student in Gilgit Baltistan.

Chief Minister said that in the first phase provincial government will handover up to primary level education in Gilgit, Skardu and Chilas to the female teachers.

Later, chief minister distributed award and cash prize to the positions holders.



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Flag lowering ceremony held at Wagah Border

Flag lowering ceremony held at Wagah Border
An impressive flag lowering ceremony was held at Wagah Border in Lahore this evening.

People from all walks of life visited the Wagah border to attend the ceremony and express love and patriotism with their motherland.

The air echoed with the slogans of “Allahu Akbar”, “Pakistan Zindabad” and “Jevay Jevay Pakistan”.

Most of the people were dressed in green and white coloured clothes in accordance with the celebrations of Pakistan Day.

They were also carrying national flags and placards inscribed with slogans in favour of the country.



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Bodies of three men recovered from Balochistan

Bodies of three men recovered from Balochistan
The bodies of three men hailing from Dera Ismail Khan were recovered from Balochistan's Rakhni area on Saturday.

Deputy Superintendent Police Barkhan Haji Muhammad Zamri said that all three men were shot in the head. Their identities were determined using their Computerised National Identity Cards, he said.

The men, identified as Ilmuddin, Nizamuddin and Raza Khan all hailed from DI Khan, the DSP said, adding that Ilmuddin and Nizamuddin were brothers.

The bodies were shifted to a hospital, he said. Police are investigating the incident.



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PM Imran to Chair Federal Cabinet Meeting On Tuesday

PM Imran to Chair Federal Cabinet Meeting On Tuesday
Prime Minister Imran Khan has called a federal cabinet meeting on Tuesday. A 20-point agenda will be discussed for the meeting.

Federal cabinet will discuss progress on the extension of New Delhi bus service and Federal Finance Minister Asad Umar will brief the cabinet on the MoUs signed between Pakistan and Malaysia.

In the meeting, the federal cabinet will discuss the matter pertaining to the illegal appointments in PTDC.

Moreover, the federal cabinet is likely to discuss the reconstitution of the economic board

Review on the master plan of Kartarpur corridor will also be discussed during the meeting session.



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Two blasts kill four at Afghan stadium celebration

Two explosions went off at a celebration in a stadium in the Afghan city of Lashkar Gah
Two explosions went off at a celebration in a stadium in the Afghan city of Lashkar Gah on Saturday, killing four people and wounding 31, government officials said.

The blasts came during a Farmers Day celebration in the southern city that was attended by nearly 1,000 people.

The governor of Helmand province, Mohammad Yasin Khan, was knocked over by the blasts, but suffered only superficial injuries, a spokesman said.

The blasts appeared to have been caused by planted explosives.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

In a Reuters video, bursts of gunfire can be heard before and after one of the blasts, causing people to flee the stadium.

A Reuters witness said the gunfire came from security personnel.

“There was chaos and people were running. Security forces asked them to calm down and then the second explosion happened,” said Najibullah, who was in the stadium for the celebrations.

He said the explosions seemed to originate in an area where tents were set up for farmers to display their products.

The attack is one of several to occur during Afghanistan’s multi-day celebrations to mark its traditional new year, beginning with explosions in the capital of Kabul on Thursday.

Those attacks killed six people and wounded 23 and were claimed by Daesh.

The traditional new year is widely celebrated in Afghanistan but some oppose the festivities, saying they are un-Islamic.

Helmand, source of much of Afghanistan’s opium, is one of several Afghan provinces in which insurgents have the greatest control and influence. Lashkar Gah is the provincial capital.

Saturday’s attack came exactly one year after a car bomb killed at least 14 people who had gathered to watch a wrestling match in Lashkar Gah.

Fighting has been relentless in Afghanistan amid recurring peace talks between US and Taliban negotiators. The latest negotiating round wrapped up this month with both sides saying there was progress toward ending the 17-year war.

The US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction estimated in January that the government controlled or influenced just over half the country, covering nearly two-thirds of the population.



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Pakistan Day celebrated with national spirit at Pak Embassy in Beijing

Pakistan Day celebrated with national spirit at Pak Embassy in Beijing
The Pakistan Day was also celebrated with national spirit and great fervor at Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing.

Ambassador of Pakistan Masood Khalid urged the Pakistani community to unite in order to achieve the national milestones.

The Ambassador highlighted the importance of Pakistan-China friendship and said that both countries share the dream of development, peace and security in the region.



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Investigation into assassination attempt on Mufti Usmani is under way: IG Sindh

IG Sindh Dr Syed Kaleem Imam says that Mufti Usmani's attackers will be arrested soon
Sindh Inspector General of Police Dr Syed Kaleem Imam on Saturday said some links have been found regarding the attack on prominent religious scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani and the suspects will be arrested soon.

Speaking to the media in Karachi, the IG Sindh said, "Investigation into the assassination attempt on Mufti Usmani is under way. We have found some links which cannot be shared with the media right now."

The suspects will be arrested very soon."

Dr Imam announced that a Safe City Project will be launched soon. "We have to protect our people and uphold the law."

Regarding the martyrdom of a police official during yesterday's attack, Dr Imam said, "2,500 Sindh police officials have been martyred and the provincial government offers the best package for families of martyred officials."

On Friday, Mufti Taqi Usmani's two guards, one a Sindh police official and the other belonging to a private company, were killed as unidentified gunmen opened fire on two vehicles near Karachi's NIPA Chowrangi.

The vehicles, which belonged to Darul Uloom Korangi, were travelling together and were fired at by assailants on motorcycles.



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School wall collapse kills Six in Gujranwala

School wall collapse kills Six in Gujranwala
At least six people, including five children and a female teacher, were killed while more than a dozen others got injured when a school wall collapsed in Gujranwala on Saturday.

According to the Gujranwala deputy commissioner, a wall of the KT Model School located on Kashmir road collapsed. He said five children and a female teacher were killed in the wall collapse while about 20 others sustained wounds.

The deceased and injured were moved to a nearby medical facility.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar took notice of the incident and directed the authorities to provide best possible medical care to those injured in the incident.



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Dubai's Burj Khalifa lighten up with image of New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern

Dubai's Burj Khalifa lit up with an image of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Dubai's Burj Khalifa on Friday was lit up with an image of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum praised Ardern for her support to the Muslim community after last week's Christchurch mosque attacks that killed 50 worshippers.

He also praised New Zealand's communities for standing in solidarity with their Muslim neighbours.

"New Zealand today fell silent in honour of the mosque attacks' martyrs. The government's wise management of the ordeal and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's sincere empathy and support has won the respect of 1.5 billion Muslims after the terrorist attack that shook the Muslim community around the world. Thank you Jacinda Ardern and Thank you New Zealand," Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said.

Fifty people were killed last Friday in attacks on two mosques by an Australian white supremacist.



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Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga ready to put country before IPL cash

Sri Lanka’s limited-overs skipper Lasith Malinga
Sri Lanka’s limited-overs skipper Lasith Malinga says he is ready to sacrifice his earnings from the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) in order to win a place in the country’s World Cup squad.

Selectors have made it mandatory for Sri Lanka players to participate in a 50-overs tournament at home if they want to be considered for selection in the 15-member squad for the May 30-July 14 World Cup in England and Wales.

“I had asked the board for the No-Objection Certificate for me to play in the IPL, and they had said that was fine, but that all players who want to go to the World Cup would need to stay back for the provincial tournament,” Malinga told ESPNcricinfo.

“So I told them I’d play in the provincial tournament, and I asked the board to inform Mumbai Indians and IPL, since it was their decision.

I’m ok with losing those earnings from IPL. I’m doing it for the country.”

The 35-year-old fast bowler, who has taken the most wickets (154 in 110 matches) since the first edition of the IPL in 2008, was bought by the Mumbai franchise for 20 million Indian rupees ($289,184.50) in the January auction for the upcoming season.

He had worked as a bowling mentor for the same team after going unsold in 2018.

Malinga is currently leading the Sri Lanka limited-overs team in South Africa with one T20 match remaining in the series.

“Once I become available for Mumbai Indians, I would have missed seven or eight games,” Malinga added.

“So there’s probably no point in them waiting around for me. Better for them to find someone else to replace me with.”

The IPL kicks off later on Saturday with a match between India captain Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore and champions Chennai, who are led by India wicketkeeper and former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

 



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'Afghan American Idol' won by a woman for the first time

Zahra Elham has become the first woman to win a popular singing competition
An Afghan woman has become the first to win a popular singing competition.

Zahra Elham, in her 20s and from Afghanistan's Hazara community, snatched first place from her male runner-up on Afghan Star a local version of American Idol in which hundreds of men and women have competed for 14 seasons.

"I popped the hearts of men out of their chests today," a happy Elham told the audience during the contest´s finale late Thursday.

"I am so so happy, I cannot even find words to express my feelings... Today, I represent all the girls of Afghanistan.

Today not only Zahra Elham but all the girls in Afghanistan have won," she said amid cheers, applause and even tears from the admiring audience.

Known for her high pitch and raspy voice, she had previously said she wanted to break the grasp of male winners on the competition, first launched in 2005 and one of Afghanistan´s most popular television shows.

"Your win is a slap in the face of jealous Afghan men," Sonita Rasa wrote on Zahra´s Facebook page.

"Hope you don´t disappear after this big win and hope the situation allows you to continue to get to your dreams," Tanin, another user, wrote.

"Peace is on its way, hope the future peace has the Afghan Star contest in it," Mustafa Azizyar, the show´s presenter said, after presenting the trophy.

As talks between Washington and the Taliban aimed at ending the long war progress, many Afghans fear a premature US withdrawal could see the Taliban return to some semblance of power.



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Pakistan Day parade: PAF chief leads fly-past

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan led a fly-past at the Pakistan Day joint military parade
Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan led a fly-past at the Pakistan Day joint military parade in Islamabad.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) chief who led the fly-past as a salute to the president addressed the gathering from his F-16 jet and said, "This is your air chief. Make no mistake we will always safeguard Pakistan. Presenting to you our wings of freedom as the guardians of your sky. Pakistan Zindabad."

Following the air chief, a formation of four PAF JF-17 Thunder fighter jets demonstrated its aerial prowess.

The JF-17 jets were followed by similar formations of Mirage, F-7PG and other fighter aircraft.

Pakistan displayed its military might at the parade held to mark the National Day.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who is on a three-day visit to the country, was the guest of honour at the parade.

Contingents of armoured and mechanised infantry, including the Al-Khalid and Al Zarrar tanks, a variety of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), howitzer guns, radar systems and other modern weaponry were also rolled out at the parade.

Combat and attack helicopters and jets belonging to the armed forces and PAF as well as the Chinese aerobatics team mesmerised the audience with their manoeuvres. Skydivers of airborne units of the three armed forces as well as paratroopers from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka took part in free-fall jumps and showcased their skills.



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Tyrannosaurus rex found in Canada is world's biggest

Tyrannosaurus rex found in Canada is world's biggest
The towering Tyrannosaurus rex discovered in western Canada in 1991 is the world’s biggest, a team of paleontologists said Friday, following a decades-long process of reconstructing its skeleton.

Nicknamed Scotty for a celebratory bottle of scotch consumed the night it was discovered, the T rex was 13 meters long and probably weighed more than 8,800 kilos, making it bigger than all other carnivorous dinosaurs, the team from the University of Alberta said.

“This is the rex of rexes,” said Scott Persons, lead author of the study and postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Biological Sciences.
“There is considerable size variability among Tyrannosaurus. Some individuals were lankier than others and some were more robust. Scotty exemplifies the robust,” Persons said.
‘Focus on science and technology needed for economic development’

While the giant carnivore’s skeleton was discovered in 1991, paleontologists spent more than a decade just removing the hard sandstone that covered its bones.

Only now have they been able to study it and realize its uniqueness, which is not limited to its size.

“Scotty is the oldest T rex known,” having lived into its 30s, Persons said.

“By Tyrannosaurus standards, it had an unusually long life. And it was a violent one,” Persons said. “Riddled across the skeleton are pathologies — spots where scarred bone records large injuries.”

An exhibit featuring the dinosaur’s bones is to open in May at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.



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Malaysian Prime Minister departs from Pakistan as three-day visit concludes

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad inspected the JF 17 Thunder
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad departed for his homeland on Saturday following the conclusion of his three-day visit of Pakistan.

Prime Minister Imran Khan accompanied the Malaysian premier, who had arrived in the country on March 21, to the airport to see him off.

Ahead of his departure, Mahathir Mohamad was given a briefing on JF-17 Thunder fighter jets at the Nur Khan Airbase.

Earlier during the day, the Malaysian prime minister attended the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad as the guest of honour.

During his stay, the Malaysian premier held meetings with Pakistan's top civil and military leadership.

On Friday, Mahathir Mohamad was conferred the highest civil award Nishan-e-Pakistan at an impressive investiture ceremony held at the President House in Islamabad.

Addressing a banquet in honour of the Malaysian premier, President Arif Alvi said Pakistan and Malaysia enjoy brotherly relations which can be taken to new heights.

Malaysia has shown keen interest in procuring JF-17 Thunder fighter planes and anti-tank missiles from Pakistan, Finance Minister Asad Umar told media after delegation-level talks between the two countries' leaders at Prime Minister House in Islamabad on Friday. Umar said the visiting delegation sought participation of JF-17 Thunder aircraft in a defence fair to be held in Malaysia in the near future.



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Hundreds of mutilated dolphins killed by fishing nets have been found on a beach in France

Volunteers from Sea Shepherd in France came across a stockpile of dead dolphins.
The mutilated corpses of hundreds of dolphins have been found piled up on a French beach.

They were some of the thousands accidentally killed by the fishing industry each year that wash up on the country's coast, observers say.

The animals had suffered fractures, snapped tails, broken flippers and deep wounds from nets cutting into their flesh.

And experts fear the toll of "bycatch" victims is threatening the survival of French dolphin populations.

The grim find was made by volunteers from Sea Shepherd France in Les Sables d'Olonne, on France's Atlantic coast near La Rochelle.

Local authorities gather up the corpses of dolphins washed up along stretches of beaches before once a week sending them to a rendering plant.

Each year trawlers fishing for sea bass kill up to 10,000 dolphins, according to Sea Shepherd - more than those slaughtered in the combined annual catches of the Faroe Islands and Taiji, Japan, which both cause mass public outrage.

The mammals are caught in fishing nets that capture everything in their path, suffering an "agonizing" death by drowning. Any pulled up alive usually die from wounds inflicted by fishermen on the vessels, monitors say.

Trawlermen cut the dolphins open in an attempt to make them sink and disappear.

Catches happen every night, all year round along the French coast, peaking between January and March.

It is estimated only a fifth of the total killed are found on shore, with 990 dead dolphins washed up since December.

In 2016 scientists from the Pélagis Observatory in La Rochelle and university academics warned that death tolls from fishing risked driving populations to extinction.

"Dolphins are a sensitive species which are slow to reproduce their few offspring. By the time the decline in their population is visible, it's usually too late," said a spokesperson for activist group Sea Shepherd. "If we still want to see dolphins in France tomorrow, it's urgent to take immediate measures to protect them.

"However, the French state is turning a deaf ear to all the scientists' warnings, and the fishermen involved are taking advantage of the general public's ignorance."

The organization wants a ban on fishing in sea bass spawning grounds and on the sale of juvenile fish.

French fishermen consider dolphins to be accidental catches even though they are protected by international conservation law, a spokesman for its French arm said.

The Loire fisheries committee says trawlers have pingers - sound repellents - but last month monitors said they observed two trawlers that had caught dolphins and did not have pingers.



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My Europe: The dangerous 'Balkanization' of the EU

My Europe: The dangerous 'Balkanization' of the EU
In today's European Union, bickering local elites rely on the support of global powers. Europe has been torn apart by competing factions, warns Ivaylo Ditchev, a cultural anthropologist from Bulgaria.

The Balkans has become synonymous with endless disputes and fragmentation. Having emerged from the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires in the wake of World War I, the region's young nations suffered from weak economic and social development, as well as a lack of legitimate elites. Local politicians rarely represented the interests of their constituents and were desperate to consolidate their newfound influence.

The main resource they used was the support of a greater foreign power. Romanians posed as the outpost of France in the region, Serbians and Bulgarians competed for the love of "Mother Russia," Greeks and Turks relied on the United Kingdom, and Croatians and Bosnians on Austria. By the end of the Cold War, the Balkans had the highest concentration of borders per square mile: between NATO to the South and the Warsaw Pact to the North; between nonaligned Yugoslavia, European Union member state Greece and countries belonging to COMECON (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, whose members were former Eastern Bloc and communist countries); between hardcore pro-Russian Bulgaria and faltering Soviet ally Nicolae Ceausescu in Romania.

At some point, Albania even became a client of far-away China, before deciding that Deng Xiaoping had "betrayed communism," as Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev had done before, and opting to stand up to the rest of the world on its own. The conflicts between these geopolitical power sponsors, transposed in miniature, produced regional tensions, even wars. What was the purpose of this absurd fragmentation, which has prevented the region from becoming a prosperous common economic space? It gave political legitimacy to local elites as they fought amongst themselves.

Support for global powers is shifting

Let us examine today's EU through this lens. The debates between left and right, conservatives and liberals, seem to give way to the clash between global powers. National elites have started to rely on the support of foreign countries, as was the case in the Balkans throughout the 20th century. In contrast to the Cold War era, today's support for global powers is shifting and unstable.

The United States pivoted away from Europe, a move that began under Barack Obama and has morphed into open hostility under Donald Trump. This compelled France and Germany to begin planning for the EU to no longer rely on Washington for military defense. Meanwhile other countries, such as Poland, stand firmly behind the US and use its support to promote openly anti-EU politics — a strategy that recently drew a formal rebuke from Brussels. Trump's trip to Warsaw in 2017 was certainly a symbolic reward for Poland's populists, who managed to draw a global power into its conflict with the EU, producing a series of internal divisions around the bloc. One example is former Trump strategist Steve Bannon's project to mobilize an anti-EU "Internationale" based on the new US alt-right ideology.

Flirting with Putin's Russia

Flirting with the support of Russian President Vladimir Putin's empire is even more shocking. Far-right parties from Italy to Estonia challenge the EU by demonstrating closeness to Moscow, while former communists from Bulgaria to Latvia trade in friendship and communist nostalgia. Some oppose the sanctions imposed on Russia by the West because of the annexation of Crimea, others hope for cheap gas or the construction of nuclear plants. Others still, like far-right politicians Marine Le Pen in France, Matteo Salvini in Italy or Volen Siderov in Bulgaria, have been exposed as recipients of Russian funding.

There are some similiarities between this Russian and US backing, but the two are not interchangeable. It's difficult to imagine, for instance, that Polish populists would rely on Putin's support or the Bulgarian socialists on Trump's, even if both groups share similar anti-immigrant, conservative and protectionist ideologies. What all of these political clients do have in common is that they rely on a foreign sponsor to take on their opponents in the EU. This is exactly the strategy the Balkan countries have been using for more than a century.

Mighty allies in the battle against 'euro-bureaucracy'

The new global player is China. This rising power is invading the European economy — not only through cheap goods that put local producers out of business, but also with aggressive investments backed by the state, culminating in the pharaonic New Silk Road project. The European Commission is trying in vain to keep China's expansion in check through measures that should be followed by all member states, because unity seems more unattainable than ever.

Most recently, Italy decided to join the Belt and Road Initiative, thus openly defying the European Commission. Before that, it was Greece that sold out important assets to the Chinese, and Eastern Europe is only too eager to follow suit. Is this only a matter of economic pragmatism? Or are European politicians trying to compensate for their dwindling legitimacy by finding mighty allies in the heroic battle against "euro-bureaucracy?" Sadly enough, the continent that used to be the powerhouse of the world has been torn apart today by competing forces and foreign influence. And we know from history where Balkanization leads.  

DW



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CM Murad Ali Shah visits Mufti Usmani at Madrassa, inquires about his health

Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah called on Mufti Taqi Usmani at Madrassa Darul Uloom
Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah Saturday called on Mufti Taqi Usmani at Madrassa Darul Uloom and inquired about his health after Friday’s terrorist attack.

Talking to Mufti Taqi Usman the chief minister expressed gratitude to Almighty over safety of the prominent religious scholar.

“Thanks to Allah, who saved you and your family,” chief minister Shah said while talking to Mufti Usmani.

“The car was sprayed with bullets from all sides,” Mufti Usmani told the chief minister about yesterday’s attack.

Mufti Usmani also briefed Murad Ali Shah about his religious school.

He said 9000 students are getting religious education in his seminary.

” Around 3000 students are staying at hostels of the Madrassa,” Usmani told the chief minister.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, earlier took notice of the incident and sought a report from the Additional IG Karachi. Shah also ordered the immediate arrest of the attackers.

Provincial minister Saeed Ghani called on Mufti Taqi Usmani at the Darul Uloom and inquired about his health.

Maulana Taqi Usmani survied a gun attack, while another religious figure Maulana Amir Shahab targeted in gun attack at Nipa Chowrangi of Karachi on Friday.

At least six unknown assailants on three motorbikes, opened fire at the vehicle on the Nipa flyover.

The attackers fled the scene after firing leaving Amir Shahab and his security guard severely wounded. The security guard later succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced dead.

Additional Inspector General (AIG) Karachi, Amir Sheikh, told media that the assailants attacked the second vehicle which was following Mufti Usmani’s car near Nipa roundabout.



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UN body adopts Pakistan resolution on Golan Heights

UN body adopts Pakistan resolution on Golan Heights
The UN Human Rights Council on Friday criticised Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights a day after US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the disputed territory.

The UN rights forum adopted an annual resolution on the Syrian Golan, brought by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), with 26 states in favor, 16 against and 5 abstentions.

European members including Britain voted against it. The United States, which quit the Council last year accusing it of an anti-Israel bias, does not participate.

“Voting for such a resolution should send a clear message… to the occupying power and to all who support Israel inside this Council and outside,” Syria’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Hussam Edin Aala, told the talks.

“The United States is justifying the practices by the Israeli occupation and ignoring Security Council resolutions,” he said. “The occupied Syrian Golan was and shall remain Arab and Syrian.”



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‘Dr Evil’ tattooist given 3 years in jail over tongue-splitting & ear removal in UK

‘Dr Evil’ tattooist given 3 years in jail over tongue-splitting & ear removal in UK
A tattooist known as ‘Dr Evil’ who removed nipples and performed tongue splitting on clients has been jailed after an ear removal sparked an investigation that resulted in a 40-month jail sentence.

Dr Evil, real name Brendan McCarthy, was sentenced to three years and four months for carrying out procedures such as ear and nipple removals at his studio in Wolverhampton between 2012 and 2015. The controversial modifications were carried out without anaesthetic.

West Midlands Police started an investigation into the tattooist when images of McCarthy cutting off a customer’s ear circulated online, sparking complaints to the City of Wolverhampton Council.

McCarthy pled guilty to three counts of causing grievous bodily harm at the Wolverhampton Crown Court last month and was sentenced on Thursday. Media reports state that he screamed when his sentence was read out, and many of his supporters in the court cried.

“He had no qualifications to carry out surgical procedures or to deal with any adverse consequences which could have arisen,” Judge Amjad Nawaz said. “There is a clear public interest element. There is also a need for deterrent.”

When he was arrested, McCarthy said he didn’t think he had broken the law because his clients had consented to the procedures. He has no medical qualifications and is licensed to carry out piercings and tattoos. Police said he did the modifications without knowing his clients’ medical or mental health backgrounds, and that they found out-of-date swabs, anaesthetic gel and needles at his studio.

We all gave full consent, we were all happy, he talked us through the procedure, we knew he wasn't a doctor despite playing on the Austin powers name of Dr Evil, he's one of the best in the country I had multiple discussions with him about how the industry needs regulation,” one of his customers said.

Ezechiel Lott, the man whose ear removal sparked the investigation, told police he hadn't realised the procedure wasn’t legal and felt “deceived.”

Over 13,000 people signed a petition in support of McCarthy, whose lawyers argued the consent he got from clients was a lawful defense. His case was brought to the Court of Appeal but three judges found the procedures were not the same as tattoos and piercings.



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Pakistan Day reminds us of our utmost responsibility: Bilawal Bhutto

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has urged the nation to reiterate its commitment and conviction to the founding fathers vision about the country.

In his message on the Pakistan Resolution Day being celebrated across the country on Saturday, he stated that proud nations built strong narrative encompassing their national interests and the welfare of the people instead of toeing individual’s doctrines, which are eventually evaporated and shattered by changes in the international and regional situations.

He said that Pakistan Day reminds us of our utmost responsibility to follow the footprints of the founders for establishment of a democratic society with peace, justice and protection of human rights as hallmarks of the system.

He said that extremism and terrorism have bruised the whole nation and were still posing serious threats, which need strong will to deal with as cosmetic and ad hoc policies on the issues have always backfired.

Bhutto-Zardari pledged that as the true torchbearer of the ideology of Pakistan together with essence of Pakistan Resolution passed eight decades ago, his party will continue to fight against all odds, injustices and victimizations to achieve the dreams of the founder of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto for a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Pakistan.



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Aid agencies in race against time after Cyclone Idai

Aid agencies in race against time after Cyclone Idai
With heavily-populated areas of Mozambique now covered by a massive lake, survivors of Cyclone Idai face disease and hunger. Aid agencies say time is running out for the victims.

The death toll from Cyclone Idai topped 600 people on Friday, with aid agencies warning much more suffering could be on the way in southeast Africa. Over a week after the powerful storm hit Mozambique and neighboring Zimbabwe and Malawi, survivors now face threat of disease and lack of medical supplies.

"We are running out of time, it is at a critical point here," the United Nations children's agency (UNICEF) chief Henrietta Fore told AFP news agency. She warned hygiene and safe drinking water are absolute priorities.

"There's stagnant water, it's not draining, decomposing bodies, lack of good hygiene and sanitation," Fore said. "We are worried about cholera, about malaria, because of the stagnant water."

Death toll to increase

According to UNICEF, thousands of people are staying in improvised camps with grossly inadequate living conditions, while hundreds of thousands of children need urgent help.

The death toll will likely increase massively, with thousands believed to have died in Mozambique where flooding has created a 125-kilometer (78-mile) wide lake, devastating an area previously populated by hundreds of thousands of people. The World Food Program (WFP) declared the flood crisis a level three emergency, putting it in the same bracket with Yemen, Syria and South Sudan.

At this stage of the rescue effort, there were almost no survivors being recovered from rooftops and trees, Mozambique's disaster management agency said.

UN calls for support

Current relief efforts "are nowhere near the scale and magnitude of the problem," and the situation is likely to worsen, said Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Elhadj As Sy.

"The situation is simply horrendous. There is no other way to describe it," As Sy said after touring camps. "Three thousand people who are living in a school that has 15 classrooms and six, only six, toilets. You can imagine how much we are sitting on a water and sanitation ticking bomb."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the international community to boost its support.

About 1.7 million people have been affected by the storm and hundreds are still missing, according to the UN emergency aid agency OCHA. The Category 4 storm could be one of the biggest cyclone disasters south of the equator, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

aw/dj (AFP, dpa, Reuters)



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Pakistan Resolution Day: Flag hoisting ceremony held at Pakistan embassies in China, UAE

A flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing and UAE
A flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing and Abu Dhabi with national zeal and fervor.

Pakistan’s Ambassador in Beijing Masood Khalid read out the messages of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan.

The Pakistan community in Abu Dhabi celebrated the Pakistan Resolution Day at the embassy premises as the national flag was hoisted. Children performed national songs at the event.

The High Commission of Pakistan and the Pakistani community based in Sri Lanka celebrated the National Day of Pakistan with traditional fervor and resolve to make Pakistan a strong, vibrant, progressive, democratic and welfare state. 



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Robert Mueller delivers Russia probe to US Justice Department

Robert Mueller delivers Russia probe to US Justice Department
Special Counsel Robert Mueller has submitted his report on the Donald Trump campaign and potential Russian involvement in the 2016 election, according to US officials. The report has not yet been made public.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller has submitted his long-awaited report on US President Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign, the US Justice Department said on Friday.

Former FBI chief Mueller has been investigating Trump and his aides' alleged Russian links and obstruction of justice for nearly two years. The report should provide deep insights into the actions of Trump's aides and possibly even the president himself.

What we know so far

Mueller has delivered his report to US Attorney General William Barr.
Barr is now reviewing the report.
The contents of the document have not been made public.
Barr will consult with his deputy and Mueller on how much of the report can be released to the public and Congress.
Barr said he could update US Congress on the report "as soon as this weekend."
Mueller will be "concluding his service in the coming days," according to his spokesman.

No 'sneak preview'

In a letter to US Congress, Barr said he was committed to "as much transparency as possible."

The White House said it has "not received or been briefed on the Special Counsel's report."

Senate Majority Leader and Republican lawmaker Mitch McConnell said he hoped Barr would "provide as much information as possible" as soon as he could. In a separate statement, Congressman Doug Collins, the top Republican on Congress' Judiciary Committee, said Mueller's report should be released to the public "without delay."

Top Democratic lawmakers Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer also called for the full report to be released to the public. "The American people have a right to the truth," they said in a statement.

They also said that Barr "must not give President Trump, his lawyers or his staff any 'sneak preview' of ... Mueller's findings or evidence." The statement came just before Trump lawyer and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani said Trump's legal team wanted to have an early look on Mueller's report before its public release.

Potentially explosive: The full contents of the report are unknown at this point; however, the probe has already triggered felony charges against six people who served on Trump's campaign team, as well as 28 other individuals. Both Trump and the Russian government have denied any wrongdoing. The US president has repeatedly described it as a "witch hunt."

What did the investigation cover? Robert Mueller was authorized to look into "any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump." He could also investigate "perjury, obstruction of justice, destruction of evidence, and intimidation of witnesses" committed against his own probe, as well as other matters triggered by the investigation.

Who has been implicated in the probe?

Several key Trump aides already faced court over the alleged Moscow links. Trump's former campaign chief Paul Manafort was found guilty of lying to prosecutors about three matters concerning the Russia probe, including his contacts with Russian national Konstantin Kilimnik. Mueller's team believe Kilimnik to be an agent of the Kremlin. US prosecutors claim Manafort also tried to hide millions of dollars he was paid by pro-Russian politicians, for whom he worked as a political consultant, in Ukraine.

Michael Flynn, Trump's appointee for national security adviser, admitted to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador at the time. Flynn misled the agents by claiming that he never discussed US sanctions on Russia with the envoy.

Trump's longtime aide Roger Stone has been charged with sharing advance information about the Wikileaks release of hacked Democratic Party emails. US officials believe the emails were stolen by Russia. Stone has denied wrongdoing.

Following the submission of the report on Friday, US media widely reported that Mueller and his team did not recommend any new indictments.

Will the report be released? The decision about sharing the report with the public rests with Attorney General Barr. Earlier this month, US lawmakers unanimously approved a non-binding resolution demanding the report be released. Some Democratic lawmakers have speculated about issuing a subpoena to Mueller and requesting the final report. In that case, Trump would have the option of ordering the Justice Department to defy the move, taking to fight to the courts. On Friday, US House Intelligence Committee head Adam Schiff told CNN that his committee would need to subpoena Mueller or others if US lawmakers are not given underlying evidence used for the Mueller report.

AP, Reuters



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Pakistan Day: CM Sindh, Governor and other dignitaries at Mazar-e-Quaid

Governor of Sindh Imran Ismail, Chief Minister and other dignitaries on Saturday visited the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam
Governor of Sindh Imran Ismail, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and other dignitaries on Saturday visited the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam and paid respects on Pakistan Day.

Stringent security measures were taken this morning at the mausoleum of the Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Pakistan Day.

Police, SSU and Rangers personnel were deployed for security at the mausoleum.

Governor of Sindh Imran Ismail, chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah with his cabinet ministers arrived at the mausoleum, laid floral wreaths and offered Fateha at the Mazar.

The Commissioner Karachi, officers of the armed forces and other dignitaries arrived at the mausoleum and paid respects to the father of the nation.

Governor of Sindh on the occasion hoped for an early attainment of the vision of Quaid-e-Azam. chief minister sindh said that only a united nation could defend the country.

Moreover, the SSU holding flag march in Karachi on Pakistan Day. The march started from the SSU headquarters and passing various roads of the city.

The flag march will end at Mazar-e-Quaid after passing through Dalmia, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and University Road of the city.

In Lahore, a change of guard ceremony was held at the mausoleum of poet philosopher Allama Iqbal on Saturday morning to mark Pakistan Day.

A smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) dressed in immaculate whites assumed ceremonial guard duties at the mausoleum.



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Dad of bus crash victim: 'I feel horribly for my son's killer'

Dad of bus crash victim: 'I feel horribly for my son's killer'
When Jaskirat Singh Sidhu ran a stop sign and crashed into a bus carrying a Canadian hockey team, he caused an accident that took 16 lives and left 13 more seriously injured. A year later, the father of one of his victims reflects on the meaning of forgiveness.

Scott Thomas has told this story countless times.

How he was riding in the car with Cal Hobbs, another hockey dad, on the way to the Humboldt Broncos' game against the Nipawin Hawks on 6 April, 2018.

How Hobbs's son Declan, the goalie for the Hawks, called his father just hours before the puck was set to drop.

How Declan, on speakerphone, said "don't bother coming, the games cancelled there's been a bad bus accident" before breaking down in tears.

How they drove to the crash site in silence, save for the blare of the ambulance sirens and the whir of helicopters overhead.

"I just got this impending feeling of doom," Thomas told the BBC, in an interview almost a year after the accident.

Thomas's son Evan was killed, along with 15 others, when a semi-trailer driven by Jaskirat Singh Sidhu crashed into the bus carrying the Broncos team and staff.

Thirteen others were injured, some permanently.

On Friday, Sidhu was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to 29 charges of dangerous driving, causing death and bodily harm.

He was not speeding, intoxicated or on his cell phone when he ran through a flashing stop sign at the intersection, colliding with the front half of the bus. He had been on the job one month.

The 29-year-old man grew up on a farm in India and moved to Canada in 2013, where he became a permanent resident, according to the CBC.

He could face deportation.

"I take full responsibility for what has happened," he had told the victims' families when he pleaded guilty in January.

"It happened because of my lack of experience, and I am so, so, so, so sorry."

During his sentencing hearing, family members described a range of feelings towards the man responsible for so many deaths.

"I despise you for taking my baby away from me," Andrea Joseph told the court through anguished sobs. "You don't deserve my forgiveness. You shouldn't have been driving."

Others offered forgiveness, including the wife of the team's coach, who also perished.

"I want to tell you I forgive you," Darcy Haugan said. "I have been forgiven for things when I didn't deserve it, so I will do the same."

Despite these conflicting feelings, Thomas says the extended victims of the crash have formed their own kind of "family", and they talk nearly every day on WhatsApp or online.

Until now, Thomas - who met Sidhu privately in January - has preferred to keep his own feelings to himself. He is concerned that if he reveals too much about what happened in their intense, brief encounter, it could persuade the judge one way or another and alienate members of the "family".

Now that Sidhu's sentence has been handed down, Thomas feels it is OK to open up about what he calls "the most amazing experience" of his life.

"My shirt was wet with his tears," he says.

Although he is not religious, Thomas says he has always been spiritual. The violence of the crash and the randomness of its devastation have in some ways been a relief, answering questions he says he has long pondered about tragedies in the world.

"There's no way God was responsible for this, there's no way Karma was kicking me in the ass for being a bad guy," he says.

"Probably the deepest feeling I've had, since all of this started, is a feeling of resignation. I mean, what can you do? There's nothing you can do about this, it just punches you in the face. I can scream and yell all I want but it's not bringing him back."

But when it comes to the subject of forgiveness, Thomas needs to pause.

"There's not a goddamn thing I can do about this so what else am I supposed to do?" he says.

"I feel horribly for Mr Sidhu, I really do. I feel horribly for everyone involved in this. So have I forgiven him? Yeah, what other option do I have? I don't think I have another option in order to maintain my own sanity."

Moving on

The Humboldt tragedy hit close to home for many in Canada, a country where hockey is more of an identity than a pastime.

To this day, Thomas still gets letters and poems from Canadians who sympathise with his loss.

He says having so much support has been wonderful, but grieving in public is not always easy. It is almost impossible to avoid images of the crash, or to find a quiet moment amidst the frequent media requests.

"I find a lot of emptiness in my life right now. Evan's the first thing I think about when I get up in the morning, he's the last thing I think about at night when I go to bed," he says.

"It's usually the first word on my mind when I find myself driving anywhere. It's confusing - we're trying to find a way to celebrate his life, but it's hard to not get hooked up on how he died, and the last few moments of his life."

Evan began skating almost as soon as he could walk, says Thomas, who played junior hockey himself when he was in his teens, retiring from the sport in 1993.

As a child, Evan would watch his father play pickup games with friends, and practised his shooting in the basement.

By the time he was a young teen, Thomas says he knew his son had the talent to make it to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, a semi-professional hockey league.

He was never the best athlete in their hometown of Saskatoon, Thomas says fondly, but he was one of the best.

"It was pretty clear to us that Evan had an opportunity to excel in athletics, and in school too. He was just the kind of kid whom things came naturally to," he says.

Before Evan graduated high school, he won the school's science award for achieving top marks.

He wanted to go to university, and had talked about becoming an astronaut or an orthopaedic surgeon. Thomas used to catch his son watching the popular medical drama Grey's Anatomy with his mother.

Heavy on romance and melodramatics, Thomas didn't see the TV show's appeal.

"I used to bug him: 'Why the hell are you watching that?'" he recalls.

"Dad I'm just watching it for the surgery,'" Evan explained.

'He's a broken man'

One thing that has kept Thomas and his wife going is their campaign for reforms in the trucking industry. The owner of the trucking company that employed Sidhu is facing several charges related to non-compliance with safety regulations.

Along with other parents of victims, the couple has drafted a petition calling on the federal government to better regulate commercial trucking. Petition E-2005 has garnered almost 5,000 signatures and they hope to introduce it to parliament.

Thomas says ultimately, he blames the trucking company and relaxed government regulations for his son's death, more than he blames Sidhu himself.

"Have I forgiven him? Yeah, I would say I have. He's a broken man, he did not intend this outcome, he was taken advantage of by the system that put him there."

After their meeting, Thomas left his mobile phone number with one of Sidhu's family members, should he ever need someone to talk to.

"I wouldn't give you my cellphone number if I didn't want you to use it," he told him.



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Friday, March 22, 2019

Dumpling-eating Russian wins slapping championship

Alexei Salnikov / Siberian Power Show
He also slaps his way to online fame during Siberia Power Show in Krasnoyarsk.

Vasily Kamotsky, a 28-year-old farmer from Krasnoyarsk, has become an online sensation and meme machine – completely by accident. After going to a fitness contest to get an autograph from his favorite weightlifter, Vasily somehow became embroiled in a slapping fight and pelmeni (dumpling) eating competition, and ended up winning both. Yes, we know this all sounds very odd, so let’s start from the beginning.

Back in May of 2018, Russian powerlifter Kirill Sarychev hosted the first Sarychev Power Expo in Moscow, a two-day event involving various bodybuilding and wrestling competitions. One of the contests was the All-Russian Slapping Championship – fist-fighting competitions have existed in Russia for centuries, but slapping is a more recent development. Anyway, Vasily didn’t attend the event but he’s a fan of Sarychev, so when he heard that the Siberia Power Show was coming to his home city and that the powerlifter was going to be there, he bought a ticket in the hope of bagging himself an autograph.

When Vasily rocked up at the event he saw signs encouraging people to enter a slapping contest and a pelmeni eating competition. Now, at this point you should know his nickname is “Pelmen” (literally “The Dumpling”) due to his pelmeni gorging prowess. After putting his name down for both, Vasily managed to sink more dumplings than anyone else and also slapped his opponents to oblivion (he does weigh in at 168 kg!), scooping 30,000 rubles ($466) money prize in the process.

Not only have his exploits earned him online immortality, he was invited by Sarychev himself to take part in the second All-Russian Slapping Championship in Moscow this May. Let's see if the bearded man gets lucky again!



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