Siasat Wala Blog

MAKKAH: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday said the Muslim world must use the platform of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to disassociate terrorism from Islam, Radio Pakistan reported.  Addressing the 14th OIC Summit in Makkah early this morning, the prime minister urged OIC to play an effective role in safeguarding the rights of Muslims and their religious sentiments. Terming the phenomena of blasphemy and Islamophobia in the west as a failure of the OIC, he pointed out that the Organization’s “inability has also led to delegitimizing the Muslim political freedom struggles, which were termed as ‘Islamic radicalism’.” Kashmir had been carrying out their political struggle for freedom but after 9/11, it was dubbed as ‘Islamic radicalism and terrorism’: PM PM Khan said the people of Indian occupied Kashmir had been carrying out their political struggle for freedom but after 9/11, it was also dubbed as ‘Islamic radicalism and terrorism’. Similarly, he said Israel star

MAKKAH: Prime Minister Imran Khan met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman on Saturday on the sidelines of the 14th Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Radio Pakistan reported.  According to details, the two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest during their meeting in Makkah and took stock of the current state of bilateral, political, economic and trade relations. They also agreed to expedite decisions taken during the visit of the crown prince to Pakistan in February this year, in particular, early implementation of decisions taken during the first meeting of the Supreme Coordination Council. The prime minister also thanked the Saudi government for extending oil facility to Pakistan on deferred payments. Both sides agreed to regularly exchange views on all issues of mutual interest. Prime Minister Khan is currently in Saudi Arabia to represent Pakistan at the 14th Summit of OIC being held in Makkah. The conference titled ‘Makkah Summit: Together f

LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday filed a reference in an accountability court against former railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, his brother Khawaja Salman Rafique and other accused in the Paragon Housing Society scandal. The Khawaja brothers, Nadeem Zia, Umar Zia, and Farhan Ali have been named accused in the reference comprising of 17 volumes. According to the reference, the Khawaja brothers and Nadeem Zia owned 93.2 per cent shares in the Paragon Housing Society. It states that the former railway minister received monetary benefits to the tune of Rs58 million from the society whereas his brother Rs39 million. A total of 122 people recorded their statements against the Khawaja brothers, it added. Earlier, on May 30, the accountability court had ordered the bureau to file a reference against the accused in the Paragon Housing Society scam. During the hearing, the investigating officer informed the court that the reference against the Khawaja brothe

ISLAMABAD: In a joint press conference, Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari affirmed that his party and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) were also united outside the National Assembly as well. Speaking to media outside the parliament house, he criticized the proceedings of the NA session, saying “whatever happened in the parliament today was not democracy but dictatorship.” The opposition was not given a chance to speak in the session, Bilawal added.  Earlier today, opposition parties in the NA protested and created ruckus in the house in favour of their demand pertaining to the issuance of production orders for MNAs Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir to ensure their presence in the house. The members from the treasury benches tried to calm down the temperature of the house, but they failed in doing so. During the press conference, Bilawal claimed that he has a receipt of his letter sent to the concerned authorities, requesting to issue the production orders

BEIJING: Make up products, perfume, industrial robots and pianos are among a cocktail of American products that will be hit by a steep increase in Chinese tariffs on Saturday as Beijing retaliates in an escalating trade war. The move will cap a week that was marked by a heated war of words and Chinese threats to curb exports of rare earths, which are key to US tech industries, after President Donald Trump blacklisted telecom giant Huawei. Washington and Beijing resumed their tariffs battle earlier this month after trade talks in Washington ended without a deal, with the US side accusing Chinese negotiators of reneging on previous commitments. The countries have exchanged tariffs on $360 billion in two-way trade so far. Trump more than doubled punitive tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods to 25 percent, and launched the process to hit nearly all remaining imports from the Asian country. China responded by announcing that it would increase tariffs on $60 billion in American pro

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan on Friday said those using anti-army and anti-Pakistan language have no right to sit in Parliament. Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, he said the country has been hosting Afghan refugees for the past four decades. Will Afghanistan give such a huge sacrifice for Pakistan, he questioned. “We have been giving sacrifices yet received SP Tahir Dawar’s dead body from Afghanistan,” he said, adding the neighbouring country will have to explain as to why a son of Pakistan was martyred on its land. The minister regretted the anti-army and anti-Pakistan language used by certain elements in North Waziristan saying those behind these acts have no right to sit in this House and their membership should be cancelled. He said the people who don’t respect Pakistani flag have no right to stay in the Parliament, lamenting the national flag is not permitted at public gatherings of  Pashtun Protection Movement (PTM).

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday announced the launch of Pakistan’s first mobile application for moon-sighting. The app, named ‘The Ruet’, is available on the Google Play store for download, the minister wrote on his official Twitter account. Please download https://t.co/1PGTvVLynC on your phone to see Moon #PakMoonsighting .pk — Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) May 30, 2019 The app displays the various phases of, and other real-time information about, the moon. According to the description provided on Google Play for the app, “The Ruet is a utility and information application related to moon and sighting of moon in Pakistan by Ministry of Science and Technology.” The main features of the app listed on the store are: Current phase and age of the moon. Islamic Hijri Calendar. Setting location manually to any coordinates in Pakistan. New moon details by Islamic months. Moon phases calendar. Moon, Sun and all major planets’ position

CHICAGO: Grammy-winning singer R. Kelly was charged on Thursday with 11 new felony counts of sexual assault and abuse that could, if he is convicted, send the R & B singer to prison for 30 years, the Chicago Sun Times reported. Kelly was indicted by a Cook County Grand Jury on four counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, two counts of criminal sexual assault by force and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, documents posted on the newspaper’s website showed. He was also indicted on three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against a victim between the ages of 13 to 16, according to the documents. The allegations center on someone identified only as J.P. in January 2010, with no other details provided. R. Kelly “was NOT charged with a new case. He was recharged in an existing case, same alleged victim and time (a decade ago) It changes nothing,” the performer’s attorney, Steve Greenberg, wrote on Twitter. “These are the same conduct, just charged differe

KARACHI: A training aircraft of the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) made an emergency landing in a field in Keti Bandar, Thatta district on Friday, ARY News reported. According to a PIA spokesperson, the aircraft made an emergency landing shortly after taking off from Jinnah International Airport, Karachi. A trainee pilot and student in the plane remained unhurt. He said the plane developed a technical fault, which forced it to make the emergency landing. The aircraft took off from the Karachi airport at 9am and developed a technical fault at around 9:40am, he added. The spokesperson said the damage suffered by the plane as a result of the emergency landing is being assessed. The post PIA training aircraft makes emergency landing in Thatta appeared first on ARYNEWS .

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday named Nirmala Sitharaman, formerly the country’s defence minister, as the next finance minister, and chose ruling party president Amit Shah to become home affairs minister. Having masterminded the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party’s landslide victory in the April-May general election, Shah had been tipped as a possible candidate for the finance ministry in recent days. Sitharaman will become the senior most woman minister in Modi’s cabinet. The previous finance minister, Arun Jaitley, had written to Modi asking not to be considered for a ministerial position due to ill health. Sitharaman will take over finance ministry at a time when there is pressure from industry for the government to provide some stimulus to halt a worrying slowdown in Asia’s third largest economy. India probably lost its spot as the fastest growing major economy to China in the January-March quarter as a chill in domestic and global consumer dem

ISLAMABAD: The government has sought assistance from religious scholars in view of growing trend of smoking among people of the country. To create awareness among masses, the government has asked religious scholars to include the topic of disadvantages of cigarette smoking in their Friday sermons. The Ministry of National Health wrote a letter to the concerned authorities, asking them to play their part in curbing smoking, meanwhile requesting scholars to discourage the use of tobacco in the sermons of Jumma-tul-Wida. The letter noted that 50,00,000 people expire annually owing to smoking. Whereas, in Pakistan 274 people die on daily basis. A day earlier, the federal government also approved imposition of Health Tax on cigarettes and beverages in the budget for fiscal year 2019-20. It consented a tax of Rs 10 on a pack of 20 cigarettes. Moreover, the rate of excise duty on cigarettes is also being increased. According to sources, the cabinet after discussing the health hazards

ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties in the National Assembly (NA) on Friday protested and raised slogans in the house in favour of their demand, ARY News reported. “Issue production orders for Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir to ensure their presence in the house”, the opposition demanded. The opposition members from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) created ruckus in the house, to force their demand to issue production orders for Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir, the two MNAs from North Waziristan, who are under CTD custody over an attack on Army’s check post. The members from the treasury benches tried their best to calm down the temperature of the house, but they failed in doing so. Later, Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri adjourned the house. Read more:   PTM’s Ali Wazir handed over to CTD on physical remand Yesterday, absconding member of National Assembly Mohsin Dawar was arrested from North Waziristan. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), f

Narendra Modi has been sworn in for a second term as India’s prime minister after an overwhelming election victory for his Hindu nationalist party in a country of 1.3 billion people seeking swift economic change. President Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath to Modi and his Cabinet ministers on Thursday. Missing from the new Cabinet were former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who stepped aside for health reasons. The portfolios of the Cabinet ministers were expected to be announced later on Thursday. They include new appointee Amit Shah, who has headed Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party as president since 2014. In the recent elections, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party won 303 seats in the 542-member lower house of Parliament, giving him huge authority. However, he faces immense challenges including a slowing economy, high 6.2 per cent unemployment and low agricultural prices that have hurt farmers. The opposition Congress party, which had dom

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Shabbar Zaidi has asked banks to provide details of Benami accounts to initiate swift action, ARY News reported on Friday. The directives were issued to the Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) of bank, who called on Mr Zaid at the FBR House to discuss provision of information of Benami accounts. “Action will be taken against those accounts holder who fail in taking benefit from the tax amnesty scheme till June 1”, the Chairman FBR Shabbar Zaidi vowed. It is learnt that the CFOs of banks assured the FBR Chairman their full cooperation regarding the Benami accounts as required by FBR. Read more:  Assets Declaration Scheme: FBR issues forms to declare assets Yesterday, Prime Minister Imran Khan  in a recorded video message addressing the nation had said “I am here to discuss a very critical matter with the people of Pakistan, only 1% of the population is filing taxes and bearing the weight of the other 99%.” The premier said, if you do

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court on Friday once again deferred its verdict on an application filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Babar Awan seeking acquittal in the Nandipur power project reference. Accountability Judge Muhammad Bashir, who presided over today’s proceedings in the absence of Judge Arshad Malik, adjourned the hearing till June 12. Since Judge Arshad Malik was on leave, the pronouncement of the verdict was deferred until next hearing. He had reserved the verdict after hearing the arguments from the defence and prosecution sides. It is noteworthy that this is the 3rd time the announcement of the verdict has been put off. In his application seeking acquittal under section 256-K of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), Dr Babar Awan had stated the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had placed on record entire record of the case comprising of 9 volumes. Besides, he added, key witnesses belonging to ministries of energy, cabinet division and law and justice

KARACHI: The Meteorological department has predicted some relief in the persistently hot weather of Karachi by the mid of June.  As per details, the met office said the weather will remain hot in the metropolis until after Eid, however, after June 15, the temperature will recede. The monsoon rains will kick off from July in Karachi, the met office said. Last week, the weather department, in a warning, had said that the heatwave is likely to grip Karachi city and surrounding areas from May 25 to 27. It had cautioned that the day temperatures would rise to 39-41ºC during this period. Read More:  How to protect yourself from a heatstroke Nevertheless, Pakistan Meteorological Department’s Heatwave Early Warning Centre on Saturday downgraded the heatwave alert “as mild heatwave” with hot and humid weather likely to prevail. In an earlier heatwave from May 1st–3rd, the maximum temperature in Karachi had soared up to 42°C.   The post Karachi’s hot weather to persist until June 15 ap

TOKYO: East Asia should consider a common regional trading currency based on gold to promote commerce, and free the region from relying on dollar transactions, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mohamad Mahathir said on Thursday. Mahathir said the proposed currency could be used for regional trade, but would not replace national currencies for use at the domestic level. “In the Far East if you want to come together, we should start with a common trading currency, not to be used locally but for the purpose of settling of trade,” he said at the Future of Asia forum in Tokyo. “At the moment we have to depend upon the US dollar but the US dollar is also not stable. So the currency that we propose should be based on gold because gold is much more stable,” he added. He said the exchange rate of the regional currency would “relate to” the performance of individual countries and would help harmonise regional trade. “That way we know much we owe, we know how much have to pay, in the currency of ea

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan on Friday said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Safdar’s inappropriate tone about Prime Minister Imran Khan shows her growing frustration. In her reaction expressed on Twitter, to PML-N leader’s allegation over PM, she said Maryam Safdar is scared that success of Imran Khan will bring benefits to the country and losses to her party. مریم صفدر کا وزیر اعظم پاکستان کے متعلق ناشائستہ لب و لہجہ ان کی بڑھتی ہوئی فرسٹریشن کا اظہار ہے۔انہیں خوف ہے کہ عمران خان کی کامیابی سے ملک منافع بخش اور سیاسی جماعت کی آڑ میں ان کی پرائیویٹ لمیٹڈ کمپنی خسارے میں ہو گی۔ — Firdous Ashiq Awan (@Dr_FirdousPTI) May 31, 2019 Read more: ‘Imran a puppet, pawn’: Maryam fires broadside at PM Earlier on Tuesday, Maryam Nawaz lamented that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif who made Pakistan a nuclear power has been jailed. “Imran, you are a puppet, a pawn and dance to someone else’s tunes,” she said an

MAKKAH: Prime Minister Imran Khan performed umrah  along with his wife Bushra Bibi and federal ministers in the holy city of Makkah. The prime minister prayed for the development and prosperity of Pakistan. Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar and Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mehmood Khan also performed umrah with the premier. Prior to arriving in Makkah, PM Khan also paid his respects on the Roza-e-Rasool (Peace Be Upon Him) and offered Nawafil on the sacred place of worship. Prime Minister Imran Khan is in the Kingdom to represent Pakistan at the 14th Summit of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) being held in Makkah on Friday (today). The conference titled ‘Makkah Summit: Together for the Future’ is being hosted by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Read more:   PM Imran Khan lands in KSA for OIC summit, visits Roza e Rasool (PBUH) The conference aims to unite Muslim countries on one platform to better tackle the difficulties and challenges they are facing.

KARACHI: Sindh High Court has acquitted a suspect nominated in a case related to possession of explosives, abolishing a trial court’s verdict, ARY News reported on Friday. As per details, Sindh High Court heard on a plea filed by suspect namely Javed seeking sentence suspension, awarded to him over possession of explosive material. The bench of the SHC hearing the case turned down the trial court’s decision of serving punishment to Javed and ordered his release. A trial court had sentenced accused Javed to 14 years of imprisonment back in 2016. Back in the September, 2017, the SHC had set aside the conviction of five terror suspects in a case related to possession of illicit arms and explosive material. Read more:  SHC sets aside conviction of five terror suspects, orders release Among the five convicts Abdul Haq and Ali Raza were sentenced to fourteen years in jail, Kashif was to undergo imprisonment of eight years, while Salim and Arshad were sent to prison for seven years by

SRINAGAR: Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism on Friday martyred a youth in Shopian, an area of occupied Kashmir.   According to the Kashmir Media Services (KMS), the youth was killed during a cordon and search operation in the area. The internet and mobile services have been suspended in Shopian soon after the martyrdom of the youth by the puppet administration, said KMS. On Wednesday, more than 50 people were injured, as the Indian forces used brute force by  on peaceful protesters in occupied Kulgam district. As per details, people hit to the streets in Tazipora-Mohammadpora area after the killing of a youth by Indian troops during a cordon and search operation in pre-dawn hours. Read more:  OIC strongly condemns Indian HR abuse in held Kashmir The injured were shifted to Primary Health Care (PHC) Muhammadpora and six of them were taken to district hospital Kulgam for treatment. The six critically injured were identified as Nadeem Ahmad (pellet injury in left

KARACHI: Jumatul Wida is being observed countrywide on Friday (today) amid foolproof security measures, ARY News reported. The authorities have made special security arrangements to ensure safety of people offering prayers at mosques and Imambargahs. Jumatul Wida has a special significance for Muslim since it is a prelude to the departure of holy month of Ramazan and considered the harbinger of the end of the showering of divine blessings that characterizes the holy month. Last Friday of Ramazan is also observed as Youm al-Quds (Al-Quds Day) in Pakistan to express support and solidarity with oppressed Muslims of Israeli occupied Palestine territories. Rallies and processions will also be organized across the country to observe the Al-Quds Day. Prayer leaders in their sermons will highlight the importance of unity and sectarian harmony among the people of all religious schools of thought. Special prayers will also be offered for the progress and prosperity of the country on the oc

QUETTA: Police foiled a terror bid in Quetta as a suicide bomb, who tried to attack an Imambargah in Quetta was shot dead, ARY News reported on Friday. As per details, a suicide bomber wanted to enter the Imambargah, situated in the provincial capital city of Balochistan. However, vigilant security forces personnel shot him dead on the spot and averted huge loss of life and property. Detailing about the incident, the police said the suicide bomber was stopped at the entrance of the Imambargah by the policemen. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Abdul Razaque said a suicide bomber, wearing explosive jacket, wanted to storm the Imambargah, but he was shot dead in the prompt action by the police, deployed outside at the security. In order to get safe passage from the entry gate of the Imambargah, the bomber was wearing ladies clothes, said the DIG. Mr Razaque said the security already was put on high-alert after the prior information of a suicide attack in Quetta. Earlier, t

JEDDAH: Prime Minister Imran Khan will represent Pakistan at the 14th Summit of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) being held in Makkah on Friday (today).  The conference titled ‘Makkah Summit: Together for the Future’ is being hosted by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The conference aims to unite Muslim countries on one platform to better tackle the difficulties and challenges they are facing. Earlier, on his arrival in Madina Munawwarah, Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH) and offered nawafil and prayed for the progress and prosperity of the country and Muslim Ummah. On the Passion, the doors of Roza-e-Rasool (Peace Be Upon Him) were specially opened for the premier. Read more:   PM Imran Khan lands in KSA for OIC summit, visits Roza e Rasool (PBUH) Prior to the Prime Minister’s visit, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mehmood Qureshi who had arrived earlier to Saudi Arabia and participated in the ministerial meetings of Organization of I

RAWALPINDI: Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Asif Ghafoor has said that an effective and strict accountability process exist in armed forces which is evident from sentences awarded by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa . Major Gen Ghafoor said sentences awarded to three including two army men and a civilian were given in three separate cases. “Officers were given stern punishment on the crime they had committed”, the DG ISPR said. He further said that no one is above the law. Earlier on Thursday, Chief of Army Staff  General Qamar Javed Bajwa had signed death warrants for a retired Brigadier and a doctor along with awarding 14 years imprisonment to a Lt. General (retd.). According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), “Two officers namely Brigadier Raja Rizwan (Retd) and a civilian officer Dr. Waseem Akram were awarded death sentences by COAS along with awarding 14 years worth of imprisonment to Lt. General Javed I

WASHINGTON: Rare earth elements are used in a wide range of consumer products, from iPhones to electric car motors, as well as military jet engines, satellites and lasers. Rising tensions between the United States and China have sparked concerns that Beijing could use its dominant position as a supplier of rare earths for leverage in the trade war between the two global economic powers. WHAT ARE RARE EARTHS USED IN? Rare earths are used in rechargeable batteries for electric and hybrid cars, advanced ceramics, computers, DVD players, wind turbines, catalysts in cars and oil refineries, monitors, televisions, lighting, lasers, fiber optics, superconductors and glass polishing. Several rare earth elements, such as neodymium and dysprosium, are critical to the motors used in electric vehicles. RARE EARTHS IN MILITARY EQUIPMENT Some rare earth minerals are essential in military equipment such as jet engines, missile guidance systems, antimissile defense systems, satellites, as well

WASHINGTON: Rare earth elements are used in a wide range of consumer products, from iPhones to electric car motors, as well as military jet engines, satellites and lasers. Rising tensions between the United States and China have sparked concerns that Beijing could use its dominant position as a supplier of rare earths for leverage in the trade war between the two global economic powers. WHAT ARE RARE EARTHS USED IN? Rare earths are used in rechargeable batteries for electric and hybrid cars, advanced ceramics, computers, DVD players, wind turbines, catalysts in cars and oil refineries, monitors, televisions, lighting, lasers, fiber optics, superconductors and glass polishing. Several rare earth elements, such as neodymium and dysprosium, are critical to the motors used in electric vehicles. RARE EARTHS IN MILITARY EQUIPMENT Some rare earth minerals are essential in military equipment such as jet engines, missile guidance systems, antimissile defense systems, satellites, as well

JEDDAH: Pakistan and Malaysia here on Thursday reaffirmed the desire to promote bilateral cooperation in the economic arena as well as enhancement of bilateral trade with a particular focus on halal food industry and tourism, Radio Pakistan reported. This concurrence came during a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi with his Malaysian counterpart Dato Saifuddin bin Abdullah on the sidelines of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Jeddah. The two sides further decided to intensify people-to-people exchanges with a special focus on parliamentary exchanges and linkages between electoral institutions, anti-corruption mechanisms and institutions of higher learning. The prospect of defence cooperation, including in the field of defence production, also came under discussion. Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in industries of future including robotics and artificial intelligence. Foreign Minister Qureshi noted that Pakistan and Malaysia enjoyed convergence

BEIJING: A replica of the Palace of Versailles, medieval turrets, and spires rise across Huawei’s new campus in southern China, a monument to the telecom giant’s growing fortune — and the benefits of state aid. The fairytale-like facilities rest on land that was sold by the local government at cut-rate prices to woo and bolster a strategic, high-tech company like Huawei. It is the kind of government largesse that has fanned US frustrations at China’s industrial policies — subsidies are a sticking point in protracted trade talks between the world’s top two economies. Huawei has become a major flashpoint in the trade war, with President Donald Trump taking steps to block the company’s dealings with US companies, threatening its global ambitions. With the dispute shining a spotlight on China’s technological shortcomings, the subsidies are a window into the kind of measures Beijing may step up as trade negotiations founder. Huawei’s annual reports and public records show that it has

Walt Disney Co Chief Executive Bob Iger on Wednesday it would be “very difficult” for the media company to keep filming in Georgia if a new abortion law takes effect because many people will not want to work in the U.S. state. Disney has filmed blockbuster movies in Georgia such as “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Endgame,” and it would be a blow to the state’s efforts to create production jobs if the entertainment giant stopped filming there. Georgia’s Republican governor signed into law on May 7 a ban on abortion after a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat – about six weeks into a pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. The law is due to take effect on Jan. 1, if it survives court challenges. Asked if Disney would keep filming in Georgia, Iger said it would be “very difficult to do so” if the abortion law is implemented. “I rather doubt we will,” Iger said in an interview ahead of the dedication for a new “Star Wars” section at Disneyland. “I think many people who

WASHINGTON: Democratic White House hopeful Elizabeth Warren said Thursday that if Donald Trump were not protected by his presidential status, he would be “in handcuffs and indicted” for obstructing the investigation into Russia’s 2016 election interference. The progressive US senator from Massachusetts, one of the leading Democrats for the party’s 2020 nomination, was the first presidential candidate to speak out in favor of launching impeachment proceedings against Trump. “If he were anyone other than president of the United States, he would be in handcuffs and indicted,” Warren said on ABC talk show “The View.” Warren had called for an impeachment inquiry the day after the April 18 publication of special counsel Robert Mueller’s 448-page report on Moscow’s election interference. Following a nearly two-year probe, Mueller concluded in his report that there was no evidence of outright collusion between Trump and Moscow. He also said that, having detailed at least 10 possible acts

ISLAMABAD: The President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday underscored the importance of social media as an ‘agent of change’ in the age of information, ARY News reported. The President while chairing a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan termed it ‘an easy tool that ensured vast outreach’. Stressing upon the social media’s role towards nation building , the President said that Ministry of Information had to broaden its mandate to counter anti-state propaganda and ensure projection of a positive image of the country in cyberspace. He directed the ministry’s social media team to be more active and vigilant towards using digital graphics techniques and content development to better influence the digital world. SAPM Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan apprised the President that the ministry was well aware of the platform’s importance every effort was being ex

KARACHI: At least 19 suspected criminals were arrested during separate raids conducted by Rangers’ teams in different parts of Karachi on Thursday, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said that the raids were carried out in Bilal Colony, Kharadar, Gadap, Khokhrapar and Saudabad, Zaman Town, Sharafi Goth, Landhi, Mithadar, Ferozabad and Memon Goth neighbourhoods of the metropolis today. The detainees include criminals involved in target killing, dacoities, street crimes and drug smuggling. According to the spokesperson, extortionists, motorcycle thieves and illegal arms holders were also among the arrested criminals. During the raids, the paramilitary forces also recovered illegal ammunition, stolen valuables and narcotics. Read More: Rangers arrest two ‘wanted target killers’ in Karachi The alleged criminals were handed over to local police for carry out legal action against the crimes. On May 19, Sindh Rangers had nabbed six suspects during a raid in Karachi. The spokesp

KARACHI: A nine-year-old passerby boy was killed while three others sustained serious bullet injuries during an armed clash between two groups over a minor dispute of parking vehicle in Kiamari Town area of Karachi on Thursday, ARY News reported. The clash ensued between two groups of a same family over the parking issue, police said and added that the men from both sides first exchanged harsh words and then scuffled which led to an armed clash. Both sides used weapons during a crossfire, creating panic in the vicinity, the officials said adding that during the armed clash at least four people were injured, including a nine-year-old passerby child. The injured  were rushed to Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center (JPMC) where the minor boy succumbed to his injuries during the treatment, said the police. The police claimed to have arrested two suspects involved in the armed clash. Read More: Dispute on bike theft: Armed clash leaves six dead in Rajanpur Earlier on April 28, at lea

BEDFORDSHIRE: A horrifying footage was recorded by a paramedic in Bedfordshire showing a ‘paranormal activity’ taking place at Bedford South Wing Hospital’s former psychiatric wing. The video showed a door mysteriously opening and closing, later, it closed hardly with a loud bag after opening a wide gap with a squeaking noise, Mirror reported .  The paramedic, Hannah Southern, also noticed a suspicious ghost-like figure in a window. According to the report, Hannah, who was waiting on-call, decided to investigate with a fellow paramedic and headed towards the former mental wing of the hospital. As she approached the stairs that led to the ward, the door began to open and close with no visible assistance. It continued for about a minute as Hannah stood in the corner and filmed the moment quietly. According to a noticed posted by NHS in 2017, the Weller Wing here it was filmed has long been recognised as an unsuitable environment for providing inpatient mental health care. A s

Ali Zafar’s legal counsel in the case against singer, actor and model Meesha Shafi claimed after today’s court proceedings that nine witnesses have testified against Miss Shafi’s account of the story, two of the nine witnesses are women, ARY News reported today,  Actor and singer Ali Zafar’s lawyer Barrister Ambreen Qureshi claimed that nine musicians, including two women who were present at the night of Miss Shafi’s alleged harassment, testified against Shafi’s story in court and declared her allegations of harassment as untrue. In a series of tweets on Thursday, Barrister Ambreen expressed her gratitude towards all the musicians who came to testify in support of her client. She sent special thank you to saxophone player Taqi whose wife was ill and hospitalized but he showed up to the proceedings despite the fact. Ambreen in a series of tweets said: “ Yesterday and today all 9 musicians from the Jam, 2 of them women, recorded their testimonies before the court. Each one of them te