باخبر بلوچستان: August 2020

Lee Jae-yong: Samsung heir faces fresh charges over 2015 merger

South Korean prosecutors indict Lee Jae-yong on alleged stock and accounting fraud over a 2015 merger.

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Punjab wakes up to heavy rain, more expected

Punjab woke up heavy and moderate rain with lightning, thunder, and gusty winds in multiple districts on Tuesday.

Okara, Shujabad, Lodhran, Multan and Attock were some of the districts that witnessed rainfall. The Meteorological Department has forecast heavy downpour in the province for the next 24 hours.

In Multan, ten people were injured after the roof of a house collapsed in Bismillah Colony. A rescue operation was conducted to pull the people out from under the debris. They have been shifted to the hospital.

Ten people were also injured in Shujabad after a house in the district’s Muhammadpur area collapsed because of the rain. The injured people were shifted to a hospital. According to doctors, two of them have been declared to be in critical condition.

Following the rain, electricity supply in multiple areas was suspended and roads were flooded.

On the other hand, a flood warning was issued by the administration after the water in River Chenab reached 75,000 cusecs. Areas neighbouring the river have been evacuated and residents are being relocated to safer locations.

The Met department has forecast heavy rainfall for the upcoming three days in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and northern areas of the country.

Flash floods caused major destruction up north following monsoon rains across Pakistan. At least 16 people died and more than 40 houses were completely destroyed.

Karachi, too, was battered by monsoon rains last week. The monsoon rain broke all records of rain in the city in the month of August.

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Djokovic, Osaka reach round two of US Open 2020

Former champions Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka progressed to the second round of the 2020 US Open on Monday.

The world number one dispatched unheralded Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzegovina 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 under floodlights at an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

The Serbian superstar took just 23 minutes to win the first set before laboring to a narrow victory in an hour-long second set. There was no let up by Djokovic in the third set.

With Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer absent, Djokovic is looking to close the gap on them in the race for the all-time men’s singles Grand Slam record.

Djokovic currently has 17, behind Nadal on 19 and Federer on 20.

Elsewhere, fifth seed Alexander Zverev was made to work hard as he booked his place in the second round following a three-hour-long tussle with 2017 finalist Kevan Anderson.

The German, seeking his first Grand Slam title, took the first set on a tie-break 7-6 (7/2) before losing the second 7-5 in an eerily empty Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Ultimately, the 23-year-old proved too much for the South African veteran, winning the third set 6-3 and the fourth 7-5.

Fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas eased into the second round of the Flushing Meadows tournament with a straight-sets win over Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

The Greek player needed just one hour and 38 minutes to dispose of the world number 41, 6-2, 6-1, 6-1.

The 22-year-old Tsitsipas, sixth on the ATP rankings, will play American wildcard Maxime Cressy after he defeated Slovakian Jozef Kovalik, ranked 123 in the world, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Britain’s Cameron Norrie enjoyed one of the day’s most impressive wins, charging back from two sets down to sink Argentine ninth seen Diego Schwartzman 3-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 7-5.

Twelfth seed Canadian Denis Shapovalov required four sets to overcome US wildcard Sebastian Korda.

The 21-year-old left-hander won the first set 6-4 before losing the second by the same score. But he rallied to win the next two 6-3, 6-2.

Frenchman Gilles Simon enjoyed a straightforward victory over Egypt’s Mohamed Safwat. The 35-year-old triumphed 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

Adrian Mannarino, also of France, defeated Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 6-1, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 in a match that lasted two hours and 41 minutes.

Osaka clinches nervy win

Osaka was made to work hard during a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Japanese compatriot Misaki Doi.

Osaka, who withdrew from the Western & Southern Open WTA final on Saturday due to a hamstring injury, showed little sign of a fitness problem after wrapping up the first set in just over half an hour.

But the 22-year-old 2018 Open champion’s composure deserted her in the second set, as a string of unforced errors crept into her game and allowed Doi to seize the initiative.

Doi raced into leads of 3-0 and 4-1 but tightened when serving for the set at 5-3 — allowing Osaka to break back and get back on serve.

However the 29-year-old Doi regrouped to hold serve for a 6-5 lead and then punished a sloppy service game from Osaka to break once again and square the match.

Osaka raised her game noticeably in the third set, cutting down the errors and putting Doi under pressure on her service.

Two breaks helped Osaka into a 5-2 lead and she held serve to close out the win.

Karolina Pliskova led a day of dominance for seeded players as the underdogs failed to bite on the opening day of the Grand Slam.

Top seed shrugged breezed past Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina 6-4, 6-0 in 1hr 3min.

Pliskova’s brisk victory set the tone for the remainder of the opening day in the women’s draw, where 15 of the 16 seeds in action progressed safely.

World number three Pliskova, elevated to top seed in the absence of world number one Ashleigh Barty and second-ranked Simona Halep, faces France’s Caroline Garcia in the second round.

With the draw going largely to form, Coco Gauff’s hopes of launching another giant-killing run were halted in their tracks after a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 loss to Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova.

The 16-year-old from Florida delighted fans at Wimbledon last year by advancing to the fourth round as a qualifier but was unable to take her chances as slid to defeat against her 31st-seeded opponent.

Gauff said her development this year had been hampered by lack of tournament match practice following a season which was decimated by the coronavirus shutdown.

Elsewhere, sixth seed Petra Kvitova also advanced safely, downing Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu 6-3, 6-2.

The 30-year-old two-time Wimbledon champion, who has never gone beyond the quarter-finals in New York, said she was adjusting to the empty stands, as well as tournament regulations which prevent players from sightseeing in the city.

Germany’s 17th seed Angelique Kerber, the 2016 US Open champion, booked her second-round berth with a 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic.

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Five injured as cylinder explodes at Karachi petrol pump

Five people were injured after a cylinder exploded at a petrol pump in Karachi’s North Nazimabad Tuesday morning.

The petrol station is near the board office.

The police said that the cylinder exploded inside the storeroom of the station.

A wall of the Jinnah University for Women was damaged in the explosion along with two motorcycles parked at the station.

The injured have been identified as Fazal, Abdullah, Khalid, Noor Shaad and Azhar. They are currently being treated at a hospital.

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Karachi: Two injured as cracker attack targets Mominabad police station

Two police officers were injured after unidentified men hurled a cracker bomb at a police station in Karachi’s Mominabad, the police said on Tuesday.

According to the bomb disposal squad, an RGD-1 grenade was used in the attack. Further evidence is being collected from the site with the help of CCTV cameras.

The police said that multiple such attempts have been previously made as well to harm the police station.

The police officers injured in the attack have been identified as Saeed and Umar. They have been shifted to a hospital. The police suspect that the perpetrators are from a terrorist organisation.

Previously in 2014, explosives were found from a block of the police station. In the same year later, some unknown men had kept 5kg of explosives in the building and escaped.

In both of these incidents the attack was prevented by the disposal squad.

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BTS first all-South Korean act to top US singles chart

K-pop sensation BTS has become the first all-South Korean act to rule the top US singles chart, industry tracker Billboard announced Monday, with their English-language “Dynamite” hitting number one.

It is another milestone cementing the seven-member boy band’s global dominance, coming hours after BTS beat American heavyweights including Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift to score the Best Pop award at Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards.

The first BTS single sung completely in English, “Dynamite” was released August 21 and tallied 33.9 million US streams in just a week, with 300,000 units sold.

In securing the top spot, the song unseats Cardi B’s raunchy hit “WAP” featuring fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion, a not-safe-for-work bop that held number one for two consecutive weeks.

BTS’s achievement comes after it reached the Billboard Hot 100’s fourth slot in March with its song “On.”

Three of BTS’ albums have hit number one on Billboard’s album charts, but this is its first Hot 100 top single.

Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 blends US streaming, radio airplay and digital sales data to rank the top hits.

BTS is the first all-South Korean group — comprised of J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Suga and V — to reign over the chart.

South Korean soloist PSY reached number two for seven weeks in the fall of 2012 with his viral dance juggernaut “Gangnam Style.”

The first Asian artist to top the chart was Japanese-born crooner Kyu Sakamoto, whose “Sukiyaki” held the ranking for three weeks in June 1963.

K-pop — along with K-drama soap operas — has been one of South Korea’s most successful cultural exports.

A key component of the “Korean Wave” that has swept Asia and beyond over the last two decades, the K-pop industry is estimated to be worth some $5 billion.

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Zoom profits double as revenues skyrocket

The popular video conferencing app has seen a 458% jump in customer growth compared with last year.

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Today’s outlook: PM heads to Lahore, Maryam Nawaz to court

Here are some of the stories we will be following today (Tuesday):

The Islamabad High Court will hear the appeal of PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz in the Avenfield reference today. She has filed a request for adjournment after her father was exempted from attending the hearing. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Maryam and her husband Muhammad Safdar are out on bail in the case and their sentences have been suspended.
Prime Minister Imran Khan will be visiting Lahore today.
Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah will meet PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto and discuss the appointment of the new administrator of Karachi. Former mayor Waseem Akhter’s four-year term in the city has come to an end.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and the northern areas of the country. Heavy rains are expected in the upcoming days.
A flood alert has been issued for the River Jhelum following rain in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and neighbouring areas. A warning has also been given by the Flood Forecasting Division.
Pakistan will be facing England in the last cricket match of the series today. Changes in the team are expected.
ICYMI: Residents of DHA gathered inside the Cantonment Board Clifton office in Karachi to protest the lack of services, master planning, storm water drains that function and the authority’s response during the monsoon flooding crisis that destroyed property.

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Watch SAMAA TV Headlines | 9am | September 01 | Pakistan

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Facebook threatens news sharing ban in Australia

The social media giant is preparing for a new law that would force it to pay publishers for news articles.

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BTS: K-pop group reacts with 'tears' after making Billboard history

The group's first ever English single has made history as a Billboard Hot 100 chart topper.

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JEE: India holds crucial college exam amid Covid-19 fears

A hugely competitive college exam in India kicks off after weeks of heavy protest from students.

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Bella Thorne, OnlyFans and the battle over monetising content

Content creators say OnlyFans has slashed incomes by placing caps on prices charged on the platform.

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Bella Thorne, OnlyFans and the battle over monetising content

Content creators say OnlyFans has slashed incomes by placing caps on prices charged on the platform.

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Facebook threatens news sharing ban in Australia

The social media giant is preparing for a new law that would force it to pay publishers for news articles.

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Saudi king sacks defence officials

Six men, including two princes, are arrested as part of the country's latest anti-corruption drive.

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Trump defends supporters accused in deadly clashes

The US president suggests right-wing activists in Wisconsin and Oregon acted in self-defence.

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Hundreds of migrants still dying in Med five years since 2015

Five years on from the migrant crisis of 2015 hundreds are still dying in the Mediterranean.

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Still ill with coronavirus six months later: 'I have no idea how to get better'

For some people Covid just will not go away – one woman’s Instagram diary of her long-haul illness.

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Rival powers jockey for the lead in hypersonic aircraft

The US, China and Russia are pouring money into aircraft that can fly at five times the speed of sound.

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Prashant Bhushan: India finds an unlikely hero in lawyer-activist

Prashant Bhushan refused to apologise to the Supreme Court and got a symbolic one-rupee fine.

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Watch SAMAA TV Headlines | 12pm | August 31 | Pakistan

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Wasim Akhtar’s term as Karachi mayor comes to an end

Wasim Akhtar’s four-year term as mayor of Karachi has come to an end.

Akhtar, a member of MQM-Pakistan, took oath as mayor on August 30, 2016 at Karachi Central Jail where he was incarcerated for facilitating hate speech, involvement in the May 12 riots and abetting the treatment of terrorists, among other things. He was named in 39 cases and imprisoned after an ATC rejected his bail plea that July.

Before his release in November, then deputy mayor Arshad Vohra held the fort by assuming the mayor’s duties. Vohra was removed from the post in 2018 after he left the MQM to join former nazim Mustafa Kamal’s PSP.

As mayor, he presented three budgets for the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). In 2017-18 he presented a Rs27 billion budget, in 2018-19 a Rs26 billion budget and in 2019-20 a Rs26 billion budget.

Elections will be held across the province to elect new local government representatives. The government has not set a date for them yet.

The Sindh government had shortlisted two bureaucrats for the post of Karachi administrator. The administrator is supposed to run the city until the elections are held and a new mayor is sworn in. It is expected that the administrator will be appointed today (Monday).

According to the law, the Sindh government has three months days to hold the elections from the day the mayor steps down. No preparations, however, have been made for the polls.

Four years ago, the polls were held on the directives of the Supreme Court. The administrator was running the city’s affairs as no elections were held after 2009.

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Coronavirus updates: Essential information for Pakistan

We will keep updating this story. Last update: 12:00pm, Monday, August 31, 2020

Known case updates as of 12:00pm, Monday, August 31, 2020
Pakistan: 295,849 (213 new)
Islamabad: 15,625
Sindh: 129,348
Punjab: 96,769
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 36,044
Balochistan: 12,869
Gilgit-Baltistan: 2,896
Azad Jammu and Kashmir: 2,298

Deaths from the virus as of 12:00pm, Monday, August 31, 2020
So far, 6,294 people have died of the virus in Pakistan. (6 new)
Islamabad: 175
Sindh: 2,401
Punjab: 2,198
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 1,250
Balochistan: 141
Gilgit-Baltistan: 67
Azad Jammu and Kashmir: 62

Complete guidelines for burial of COVID-19 patients in Pakistan
In memoriam: Names of health workers who died fighting COVID-19

Recoveries as of 12:00pm, Monday, August 31, 2020
So far, 280,682 people have recovered from the virus in Pakistan.
Islamabad: 14,975
Sindh: 122,939
Punjab: 92,481
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 33,950
Balochistan: 11,756
Gilgit-Baltistan: 2,466
Azad Jammu and Kashmir: 2,115

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Cough (usually dry), fever, difficulty breathing, muscle aches and pains, tiredness, loss of taste and smell, chest pain

Which authorities should I contact?
Your government helplines

What will they do?
They will guide you about the next steps. You will be connected to a doctor who will take your medical and travel history. You will be told whether you need to be tested or not.
If you need to be tested health authorities will send an ambulance your way to take you to a hospital isolation ward. Your contacts will be traced and also tested.

What precautions should I take to protect myself from COVID-19?

Wear a face mask anywhere outside your house. This includes crowded indoor places as well.
Follow social distancing, keep a distance of at least one metre from other people
Avoid large public gatherings
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with you. The alcohol content should be 60% or higher.
Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes
Stay at home if you feel sick
Disinfect workplace and home surfaces, door knobs, counters
Cook food thoroughly

Where can I go to get tested?

Contact list to get tested for coronavirus in Pakistan

Punjab:
All Divisional Headquarters hospitals
Lahore: Mayo Hospital, Expo Centre, Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute, Shaukat Khanum and Chughtai Lab
Sindh:
Karachi: AKUH Karachi, Dow OJHA, Indus Hospital, SIUT, Chughtai Lab, PNS Shifa, Essa Lab, Civil Hospital, Liaquat National, Ziauddin Hospital
Hyderabad: LUMHS Hospital
Khairpur: GIMS
Larkana: CMCH
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
Peshawar: Khyber Medical University, Hayatabad Medical Complex, RMI, NWGH, Anwar Lab
Swat: Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals
Abbottabad: ATH
DI Khan: MMTH
Balochistan:
Quetta: Fatima Jinnah Hospital
Taftan: Mobile testing unit
Gilgit-Baltistan:
Skardu: CMCH
Gilgit: DHQ
Islamabad: PIMS, NIH
Azad Jammu and Kashmir:
Muzaffarabad: Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences

Isolation wards and centres in Pakistan (Updated May 9)

Sindh:
1. AKUH Karachi
2.JPMC, Karachi
3.Dow OJHA, Karachi
4.Civil Hospital, Karachi
5. Liaquat Uni Hospital, Hyderabad
6. PMCH Nawabshah
7. Civil Hospital Mirpurkhas
8. GMMMC Sukkur
9. CMCH Larkana
10. Expo Centre Karachi

Punjab:
1.Mayo Hospital Lahore
2. PKLI Centre Lahore
3. Expo Centre Field Hospital Lahore
4. Nishtar Hospital Multan
5. Allama Iqbal Memorial Hospital Sialkot
6. Allied Teaching Hospital, Faisalabad
7. Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
1. Khyber Medical University, Peshawar
2. Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar
3. RMI, Peshawar
4. NWGH, Peshawar
5. Swat: Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals
6. Abbottabad: ATH
7. DI Khan: MMTH

Balochistan:
1. Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Quetta
2. Prince Fahad/ DHQ Hospital, Dalbandin, Chaghi
3. Jam Mir Ghulam Qadir Hospital Hub Lasbela
4. DHQ Hospital, Uthal, Lasbela
5. DHQ Hospital Gwadar
6. Red Crecent Hospital, Gwadar
7. GDA Hospital, Gwadar
8. GDA Hospital, Gwadar
9. DHQ Teaching Hospital, Turbat

If you’re looking for places that can provide oxygen cylinders, oximeters and plasma, we’ve compiled a list of contacts here.

What treatment approaches has Pakistan used for COVID-19 so far?

Doctors in Pakistan are trying a number of different approaches including:
1. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine
2. Remdesivir
3. Steroids
4. Tocilizumab and Sarilumab
5. Convalescent plasma or immunoglobulins
6. Proning
7. Lopinavir/ritonavir
8. Radiology for diagnosis

Read about them here.

Pakistan’s COVID-19 timeline: Major stories from across the country

Twitter handles to follow:

1. Zafar Mirza, State Minister of Health of Pakistan: @zfrmrza
2. National Institute of Health (NIH) Pakistan: @NIH_Pakistan
3. Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination: @nhsrcofficial
4.Health and Population Welfare Department, Sindh: @SindhHealthDpt
5. Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Minister of Health & Population Welfare Sindh: @AzraPechuho
6. Senator Murtaza Wahab, Sindh Government Spokesperson: @murtazawahab1
7. Taimur Khan Jhagra KP Finance and Health Minister: @Jhagra
8. Health Department KP: @HealthKPGovt
9. Usman Buzdar Punjab Chief Minister: @UsmanAKBuzdar
10. Dr Yasmin Rashid Punjab Minister For Primary & Secondary Healthcare: @Dr_YasminRashid
11. Health Department Punjab: @HealthPunjabGov
12. Jam Kamal Khan Balochistan Chief Minister: @jam_kamal
13. Liaquat Shahwani Balochistan Government Spokesperson: @LiaquatShahwani
14. Health Department Balochistan: @HealthDeptBlo
15. World Health Organisation Country Office in Pakistan: @WHOPakistan
16. Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Society of Pakistan MMIDSP: @mmidsp
17. Aga Khan University; @AKUGlobal
18. The Indus Hospital: @indus_hospital
19. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation: @DrTedros
20. UNICEF Pakistan: @UNICEF_Pakistan

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Chess Olympiad: India and Russia both get gold after controversial final

India is declared joint winner with Russia after two players lost connection during the final round.

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Sir Isaac Newton's notes among Cambridge web gallery 'treasures'

Cambridge University Library adds high-resolution images of its collection to a free culture site.

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India accuses China of 'border violation'

China is yet react to the allegation which comes after several rounds of peace talks.

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Israel and UAE set for historic direct flight following peace deal

The first commercial flight marks a major step in normalising ties between the two countries.

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Aiman Khan celebrates daughter’s first birthday

Pakistani celebrity Aiman Khan celebrated the first birthday of her daughter Amal Muneeb on Sunday along with her husband Muneeb Butt.

Taking to their Instagram accounts, Aiman and Muneeb uploaded pictures of their family celebrating Amal’s first birthday in a minimalist way.

“Happy birthday to our everything ” read Aiman’s post.

View this post on Instagram

Happy birthday to our everything

A post shared by AIMAN MUNEEB (@aimankhan.official) on Aug 30, 2020 at 3:01am PDT

“Alhamdulilah my life’s first one, may you have many many more with good health!” said Muneeb. He also requested fans to remember Amal in their prayers.

View this post on Instagram

Alhamdulilah my life’s 1st one, may you have many many more with good health! Remember Amal in your prayers

A post shared by Muneeb Butt (@muneeb_butt) on Aug 30, 2020 at 4:26am PDT

Excited khala and Aiman’s twin Minal Khan also took to her Instagram to wish her niece. “Happy birthday Amalo, you bring so much happiness in my life every day,” she posted.

View this post on Instagram

And just like that you’re One Happy birthday amalo, you bring so much happiness in my life everyday

A post shared by Minal Khan (@minalkhan.official) on Aug 30, 2020 at 2:34am PDT

In another post, Minal posted a picture of Amal holding a cake knife, standing in front of the birthday cake.

View this post on Instagram

Birthday girl

A post shared by Minal Khan (@minalkhan.official) on Aug 30, 2020 at 5:10am PDT

Aiman and Muneeb were blessed with a baby girl on August 30, 2019 and Butt had taken to Instagram to announce the birth. He said the feeling of becoming a dad was “indescribable”.

The couple tied the knot in November 2018.

Earlier, the couple made headlines for their extravagant wedding. They had a total of eight events that started in November and ended in December.

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Injury scare for Mohammad Amir ahead of third England T20I

Pakistan left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir is unlikely to take part in the third and final T20I against England on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old was seen clutching his right hamstring in pain during the second game of the three-match series on Sunday.

A team spokesman confirmed that Amir will undergo an assessment by the medical staff.

“He[Amir] is feeling pain in his right hamstring,” a team spokesman said as quoted by the AFP. “It’s been iced and they [medical staff] will see him tomorrow [Monday].”

The Rawalpindi-born pacer bowled just two overs and conceded 25 runs at an economy of 12.50 before he left the field due to pain.

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Peshawar researcher keeps 700 species of scorpions in his fridge

A man from Peshawar, Muhammad Jawwad, has more than 700 species of scorpions bottled up in a refrigerator at his house for his PhD research.

He is the first PhD scholar from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to conduct research on scorpions. Jawwad has transformed his house into a laboratory because of the lack of research rooms in the province.

“My research is based on the life and different types of scorpions,” he said. “These species that I have, have been collected from different parts of the province.”

The researcher revealed that he has preserved the scorpions because there is no other place where he can study them. “There are times when I have to request people to let me work in their laboratories since I don’t have one dedicated for my own research.”

Jawwad believes that he can find some of the world’s most unique species of scorpions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa if he is provided with proper resources.

“We need a high-glass microscope, HD cameras and a PCR machine,” he said, adding that this will help him identify and highlight species of scorpions that have been found for the first time in both Pakistan and the world.

Jawwad has stressed the importance of research as he claims scorpions have the secrets to cure diseases such as joint pains and cancer.

He has requested the government to help him with his research as it will open new doors in science and medicine in the province.

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Babar highlights reason for Pakistan’s defeat in second England T20I

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on Sunday said that his team’s bowling performance was the reason for defeat in the second T20I against England in Manchester.

“Our total was good but we didn’t bowl well,” the 25-year-old said as quoted by the AFP. “We struggled with our bowling.”

“Credit goes to Malan and Morgan for how well they played.”

The captain added that they will learn a lot from the ongoing three-match series. “Under pressure, I need to handle the bowlers and tell them a few things.”

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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa flash floods: 16 people killed, 40 houses destroyed

Flash floods following monsoon rains that hit the country last week claimed the lives of at least 16 people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to a report by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority.

Eight people died in Upper Kohistan, six in Swat and two in the Shangla district.

In Mansehra, seven members of a family died in the flood. Three bodies have been retrieved, while the search is under way for the others, said the authorities. Several other people were injured in multiple areas of the province.

More than 60 houses were damaged of which 40 were completely destroyed, leaving residents stranded.

Contact with Upper Chitral was cut off after the recently constructed RCC Bridge was destroyed by the floods. The Chitral-Peshawar highway has also been closed due to land sliding.

The PDMA said residents of the affected areas are being relocated while the areas on high alert are also being evacuated. Food and other necessities are being provided to people by the army’s relief teams.

The KP government has announced aid of Rs500,000 for families who have lost loved ones and Rs100,000 for the injured.

According to the Met Department, more rain is expected in the province this week. Authorities have been alerted and an emergency has been declared.

On the other hand, the road from Jhang to Rawalpindi and Sargodha has been blocked after water from the overflowing Chenab River flooded the roads.

Water also entered nearby houses after which people were evacuated and a flood relief camp was set up. According to Jhang Deputy Commissioner Tahir Wattoo, residents have been relocated and the district administration is on high alert and constantly monitoring the situation.

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Rain forecast in Karachi today

Another spell of rain has been forecast in Karachi today (Monday).

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted that some areas will be lashed by heavy rain while others are likely to receive light showers.

Malir, Quaidabad and Landhi already saw some light rain Sunday night.

A seventh spell of rain has already begun in other parts of Sindh, such as Hyderabad, Shikarpur and Badin also saw sporadic rain Sunday night.

Shikarpur and its surrounding areas experienced strong winds and lightning coupled with heavy rain that chased away the heat and humidity. Low-lying areas were flooded and power supply was suspended from the start of the rain spell.

In Badin, showers began Sunday evening and continued throughout the night, flooding low-lying areas.

Hyderabad also saw rain across the city.

This heavy rain in the province resulted in many areas flooding.

The northern areas of the country are expected to be hit by heavy rainfall from Monday to Wednesday. Flash floods and urban flooding is also expected.

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Lady Gaga wins big at socially distanced, socially aware VMAs

Lady Gaga cleaned up at MTV’s Video Music Awards Sunday, an unorthodox show that paid socially distanced homage to New York City as themes of voting and racial justice punctuated the night.

The 2020 VMAs — a show known more for ostentatious performances, made-for-Twitter moments and wild costumes than the actual awards — was scaled back due to the coronavirus pandemic, with performances held at outdoor spaces and many celebrities accepting prizes via video.

Host Keke Palmer, known for her role in last year’s film “Hustlers,” opened the show with an emotional cold-open paying tribute to actor Chadwick Boseman, who just died after of cancer.

“We dedicate tonight’s show to a man whose spirit touched so many,” she said of the performer who portrayed James Brown and Jackie Robinson, and was the first Black superhero in “Black Panther.”

Canadian R&B singer The Weeknd — whose wins included the coveted Video of The Year — then launched into a performance of the hit “Blinding Lights” atop a viewing deck protruding off a Manhattan skyscraper, 1,000 feet in the air.

“It’s really hard for me to celebrate right now,” he said in accepting his moon man trophy for Best R&B.

“I’m just going to say justice for Jacob Blake and justice for Breonna Taylor,” he continued, referring to recent black victims of police violence.

It was one of many nods to the Black Lives Matter movement, acknowledging a year that has seen months of anti-racism protests.

Several stars also encouraged voting during the show where the Joe Biden campaign bought a number of advertisements in a bid to reach youth in his campaign against President Donald Trump.

Lady Gaga took home trophies including Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Rain on Me,” her collaboration with Ariana Grande.

The pair staged a futuristic performance atop the Empire State Building, both masked, with Gaga in a BDSM-esque corseted get-up, one of her many eccentric costumes of the night.

The 34-year-old — who famously wore a dress crafted of raw flank steak to the 2010 VMAs — also won the show’s inaugural “Tricon Award,” which recognizes an artist who is highly accomplished across three or more disciplines.

“This has not been an easy year for a lot of people, but what I see in the world is a massive triumph of courage,” she said.

“Stay safe. Speak your mind and, I might sound like a broken record, but wear a mask. It’s a sign of respect.”

Exempt from quarantine

The show featured sweeping pans of New York, a city devastated in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic and that originally was meant to host the VMAs at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

In addition to the Empire State Building, performances were also held at the waterfront Skyline Drive-in theater, with an audience watching from spaced-out cars.

Performers and crew at this year’s VMAs were exempt from New York’s statewide mandatory two-week quarantine imposed on travelers coming from areas with high rates of Covid-19.

The state’s Department of Health said those involved with the show were required to quarantine when not working and submit to “rigorous testing.”

This year’s edition included new awards recognizing the tumultuous year in music, with the pandemic halting tours and festivals worldwide in a devastating blow to the industry.

The show also honored healthcare workers with a tribute to doctors and nurses singing and dancing in crowd-sourced videos.

Grande and fellow pop star Justin Bieber won Best Music Video From Home for “Stuck With You,” while Latin boy band CNCO won Best Quarantine Performance for “Unplugged At Home.”

And while American pop regulars including Gaga, Grande and Taylor Swift all took home trophies, they were upset in their genre’s primary category by Korean megastars BTS, which won for Best Pop for “On.”

The group held a green-screen performance that placed them in front of the Brooklyn Bridge in a shot recalling the classic film “Once Upon A Time in America” that starred Robert DeNiro.

Miley Cyrus meanwhile performed “Midnight Sky” while swinging on a disco ball, recalling her “Wrecking Ball” music video.

Colombian singer Maluma won Best Latin for “Que Pena” featuring J Balvin, as R&B prodigy H.E.R. won MTV’s Video For Good, which honors work with a social message, for “I Can’t Breathe.”

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion — currently basking in the glow of her recent success with Cardi B for their raunchy hit “WAP” — won Best Hip Hop for “Savage.”

The star accepted her award from home, popping champagne wearing spandex shorts and a T-shirt.

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Today’s outlook: Clifton, Defence residents protest, Karachi declared calamity-hit

Here are some of the stories we are following today (Monday):

Three soldiers were martyred and four injured during an attack by terrorists in North Waziristan. An operation by the army is under way.
The second review meeting of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) will be held in Kabul today, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood will lead the Pakistan delegation.
The Karachi local government led by Mayor Wasim Akhtar has completed its four-year tenure. In a meeting on Sunday, Prime Minister Imran Khan has formed a committee to come up with recommendations for a new local government structure.
Residents of Defence and Clifton have decided to come out on the streets and protest against the suspension of electricity and other problems caused by the monsoon rains in Karachi last week. Other areas severely affected include Naya Nazimabad, Surjani Town, Sakhi Hassan and New Karachi. The downpour also affected mobile phone and internet services in multiple areas.
The Sindh government has declared Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Shaheed Benazirabad calamity-hit areas after five spells of heavy rains wreaked havoc in the province, claiming 80 lives and damaging public and private property.
Heavy rain has been predicted in the northern areas of the country today. Warnings of flash and urban floods have been issued.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority has prepared two separate proposals, recommending an increase in the price of petrol by Rs3.5 and Rs8 per litre. It sent the summary to the government Sunday.
The Islamabad High Court will hear the appeal of the National Accountability Bureau against the sentence of the convicted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia reference on September 1.
Three more Kashmiris were killed by Indian forces in Indian-Administered Kashmir on Sunday. The total death toll in the disputed area has reached 10. According to reports, pellet guns were fired and tear gas was used.
At least 10 people were arrested in southern Sweden and several police officers injured in violence triggered by an illegal protest where a copy of the Holy Quran was burned.
The polio campaign will come to an end today in Punjab and Sindh. More than nine million children were administered polio drops in Sindh while over 10 million were administered in Punjab.
The death anniversary of Diana, Princess of Wales is being observed today. She died after being injured in a motor vehicle accident in a road tunnel in Paris.
ICYMI: Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed to solve Karachi’s three major problems soon.

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Venice Film Festival seeks to dodge coronavirus and controversy

What if you threw a film festival and nobody came?

That, in essence, is the challenge facing organisers of this year’s Venice Film Festival, the glamorous annual competition where stars, critics, photographers and industry executives mingle on the bustling Lido, overlooking sandy beaches and the blue Adriatic.

Provided, of course, it’s a normal year.

But in 2020, the world’s oldest film festival is forced to walk a tightrope between preserving its lustre as the premier launchpad for Academy Award-winning films, while safely navigating the coronavirus crisis and averting the controversy over gender inequality that has dogged it in the past.

Opening Wednesday and continuing until September 12, the prestigious event now in its 77th year will be the first international film festival since the pandemic shuttered competitions around the world.

It has put in place a host of safety measures — from limited seating to thermal scanners, to a fan-free red carpet — to protect attendees as Covid-19 cases continue to climb in Italy and around the world.

In July, festival director Alberto Barbera declared the event “saved” as he announced the 18 films among the approximately 60 presented that would vie for the top award, the Golden Lion.

He promised that the festival would preserve the “liveliness of contemporary cinema”.

Despite its scaled-down size with theatre capacity reduced by about half, La Biennale di Venezia takes on greater importance this year due to the cancellation of rival film festivals across the globe, among them the glitzy Cannes Film Festival on the Cote d’Azur in France.

Unprecedented territory

But just days ahead of the opening, organisers are scrambling to navigate unprecedented territory amid uncertain attendance and last-minute cancellations.

Whereas Brad Pitt, Meryl Streep and Scarlett Johansson provided the star firepower at last year’s festival, ongoing travel restrictions — especially a travel ban from the United States into Europe — mean that most Hollywood elites will be no-shows, along with actors and directors from China, India and South America.

Those arriving from outside Europe’s Schengen zone will have to submit results of a Covid-19 test just before their departure, with a second test carried out in Venice, meaning that some attendees may have to cancel.

Earlier this week, the festival announced that American actor Matt Dillon would be a last-minute substitute on the jury for Romanian director Crisit Puiu.

No reason was given for Puiu’s absence, but industry trade magazines noted he had given a speech earlier this month in which he said it was “inhumane” to watch movies with a mask on.

Those confirmed as attending include, among others, British actress Tilda Swinton, Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, US director Oliver Stone and Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen.

More women directors

The uncertain lineup of stars and dearth of top names leaves Australian actress Cate Blanchett, president of the jury, to take up the mantle of celebrity — and social activism — at Venice.

Blanchett was the leader of the #MeToo women’s march up the red carpet steps at Cannes two years ago that sought to bring attention to the lack of parity and diversity in cinema.

The presence of Blanchett helps raise such awareness while the festival seeks to stanch criticism levelled in recent years over the glaring lack of women directors in festivals’ top lineups.

The Oscar-winning headliner told Variety magazine on Thursday that this year’s eight women directors in the main competition lineup of Venice is “a direct response to the positive advances that have been made this year”.

Others say it is too early to tell whether a page has turned.

“It’s all about being consistent and diligent and believing that women make movies as well as men, and using that in the way you programme,” said Melissa Silverstein, founder and publisher of “Women and Hollywood”, which advocates for gender diversity and inclusion in film.

Last year’s festival opened under controversy after the inclusion in the lineup of French-Polish director Roman Polanski, who fled the United States after his 1977 conviction of rape of a 13-year-old girl.

There were also only two female directors in the selection. In both 2018 and 2017, only one female director was represented.

Blanchett said more was riding on the jury’s decisions this year, given the limited opportunities for filmmakers to show their work publicly, due to the coronavirus closures.

“So, whatever the deliberations the jury will make will be more impactful. I don’t take that responsibility or privilege lightly.”

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Osaka clinches nervy win

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