باخبر بلوچستان: December 2020

KP chief minister orders immediate reconstruction of Karak Hindu temple

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has ordered the immediate reconstruction of the Krishna Dwara temple in Karak.

He said his provincial government must ensure the construction work is started quickly. We will protect the places of worship of minorities, he vowed.

The historic Hindu temple was set ablaze on December 30 by hundreds of residents. The temple is located in Karak’s Teri union council.

The miscreants surrounded and vandalised the temple for hours but the police were missing from the scene.

Several people involved in the crime have been arrested, confirmed CM Khan. On Thursday 31 people were arrested for setting fire to the temple.

KP IG Sanaullah Abbasi told reporters in Karak that at least 300 people have been nominated in the FIR. Thirty-one were arrested while others are being identified with the help of video footage.

The Krishna Dwara temple attack was led by cleric Maulana Muhammad Sharif, who is an active member of Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s JUI-F according to sources. He surrendered to the police Thursday evening.

In July 1919, Guru Shri Paramhans Dayal was laid to rest at the site and a temple was built there. Muslim residents of the area closed the temple after Partition in 1947.

In 2015, the Krishna Dwara temple was restored on the orders of the Supreme Court.

Hindus and Muslims signed an agreement on December 22 agreeing that the renovation of the temple would not exceed the specified area.

Advocate Rohit Kumar, a representative of the Hindu community, said the residents violated the agreement by vandalising the temple.

But Muslim residents of the area claimed that the Hindu community was illegally expanding the temple building. They said the matter had been reported to the police.

Residents said the police’s failure to intervene angered the public who later vandalised the temple.

A large contingent of police reached the site after several hours and brought the situation under control.

Minister condemns attack

Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari condemned the attack.

“The KP government must ensure culprits are brought to justice. The Ministry of Human Rights is also moving on this,” she said on Twitter.

“We as a government have a responsibility to ensure safety and security of all our citizens and their places of worship.”

Desecration of Hindu temples and scriptures in the past

This isn’t the first time places of worship belonging to the Hindu community have been desecrated in Pakistan.

In October, a group of men vandalised idols at a temple in Sindh’s Nagarparkar. A suspect arrested later told the police he had done it for money.

A pre-Partition Hindu temple was demolished in Karachi’s Lyari on August 16. “The Hanuman temple dated back almost 200 years and was a worship place for several families living in the neighbourhood,” Pakistan Hindu Council Patron-in-Chief and MNA Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani said at the time.

In February 2019, an arson attack on a Hindu temple had spread unrest in Kumb in Sindh’s Khairpur district. Unidentified people had entered the Sham Sundar Shewa Mandli temple and set fire to three sacred books and idols.

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Turn your old leather jacket to brand new

The demand for leather jackets increases in Pakistan every winter. But they are expensive, so people don’t want to buy new when their old jackets wear out. With some work, you can make yours look new. Watch how

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Seven children recovered from Islamabad brick kiln on court orders

The Islamabad police recovered seven children, two women, and two men from a brick kiln in Islamabad on the orders of the Islamabad High Court.

The raid was conducted by the Noon police station.

The brick kiln owner had held them hostage and was forcing them to work for him, a police official said. No one was allowed to leave the kiln.

The owner was arrested on December 31 after the high court was informed that children working as labourers at his kiln have gone missing.

The deputy commissioner said the owner will not be released till the children are safely rescued.

The court gave the authority 48 hours to recover the children and ensure their safety.

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Misbah calls England tour Pakistan’s biggest disappointment of 2020

Pakistan’s head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said the side’s tour of England was the biggest disappointment of 2020.

The former batsman, who led Pakistan to number one position in the Test rankings for the first time since its inception, lamented the side’s failure to capitalise on opportunities to win the first Test in Manchester.

“From a personal point of view, the biggest disappointment of 2020 was the tour of England where we let victory at Old Trafford slip out of our grasp,” the Mianwali-born cricketer said according to a Pakistan Cricket Board press release. “Then, rain thwarted our chances of going 1-0 up in the series but I am glad we then bounced back strongly in the third match to level the T20I series.”

The Green Caps lost the three-match Test series 1-0 and drew the three-match T20I series 1-1.

‘Different experience’

Commenting on the ongoing New Zealand tour, the former cricketer said the experience of playing in New Zealand was slightly different than to England, adding that the rigorous 14-day quarantine period led to the players getting injured and the side failing to prepare for the two-match Test series.

Misbah hailed the team’s performance in the first Test at Tauranga. “We won the third T20I, though I feel we could have won one of the opening two matches but lost too many wickets in the first match and then dropped a few crucial catches in the second,” he said.

“In the first Test, without Babar Azam and Shadab Khan, we fought gallantly and hard till the end that earned the team a lot of praise, which satisfies me and my fellow coaches.”

He called on the team to learn from their mistakes in the past year to put on improved performance in 2021. “A lot of cricket has to be played in the next year, which will not only require consistent performance but also top-notch fitness but with a larger pool of young and talented cricketers available, I am hopeful we will do better by converting strong performances into positive results.”

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Sindh govt officers accused of corruption to be removed: court

The Sindh High Court has ordered the removal of government officers accused of corruption and in criminal cases.

Officers who are being investigated by NAB cannot continue to work on their posts, the court has said.

Several officers accused of corruption or named in criminal cases continue to serve on their posts. A case was filed by the MQM against over 500 officers such officers working across the province.

The court has ruled that officers who have been acquitted in the cases can resume services.

The chief secretary has been directed to submit a report on January 14. The court expressed its displeasure at him for officers accused of corruption still being allowed to continue working.

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Lahore rings in New Year with 112 criminal cases

The Lahore police rang in the New Year with 112 new cases for aerial firing, one-wheeling and consumption of alcohol.

The CCPO spokesperson said 126 suspects have been taken into custody and are currently in the lockup.

Thirty-six cases have been lodged for one-wheeling and 36 motorcycles have been impounded.

Thirty-four suspects have been arrested in 32 cases and weapons seized from their possession.

Other than Lahore, the police in big and small cities across the province also lodged cases against people for aerial firing and one-wheeling on New Year’s Eve.

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Karachi records its lowest temperature in 10 years

Karachi recorded its coldest weather in 10 years on December 31 when mercury was recorded at 5.6 degrees centigrade.

Before this, the coldest weather in recent history was 6.5 degrees recorded in 2014.

Cold winds have captured the city and will continue to blow till Sunday at least.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has said the city’s maximum temperature this weekend will be between 20 and 25 degrees.

Humidity will remain at 29% and wind speed is currently 25 kilometres per hour from North East.

This has been one of the coldest winters Karachi has experienced in recent times. For the past week or so, the city has been experiencing a cold wave that has sent people rushing to purchase heaters and bundle up at home.

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New Zealand’s Neil Wagner to miss second Pakistan Test

New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner has been ruled out of the second Test against Pakistan due to a broken toe.

The world’s third-ranked Test bowler suffered the injury while batting and needed pain-killing injections as he bowled 21 overs in Pakistan’s first innings and 28 in the second to play a key role in New Zealand’s win.

Wagner’s four wickets included the crucial scalp of Fawad Alam for 102 during a marathon 11-over spell late on the fifth day, when it looked as if Pakistan could hold on for a draw. Their last wicket fell with less than five overs remaining on Wednesday.

“The injections he was getting were wearing off each time so he was getting less and less (pain-free) time and we can’t have him going through that again for this Test match,” Stead said as the team arrived in Christchurch ahead of Sunday’s second Test. “Everyone knows Neil plays with his heart on his sleeve and he just showed how tough he really is and how valuable he’s been to New Zealand for a long, long time and we’ll miss him enormously. We want to be sensible about it. He probably needs five or six weeks of healing now to be right for the end of the season.”

Stead did not name a replacement but said he was considering “like-for-like”, indicating another fast bowler ahead of all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, the 12th man in the first Test who fielded when Wagner was getting injections.

The Hagley Oval wicket in Christchurch is one of the fastest in New Zealand and traditionally offers pace and bounce.

New Zealand need to win the Pakistan series 2-0 to keep alive their chance of making the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next June.

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Watch SAMAA TV Headlines 9am Pakistan – 01 January 2020

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Wall Street to kick out Chinese telecom giants

The New York Stock Exchange will delist the three Chinese companies based on claimed military links.

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WHO grants ’emergency validation’ to Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

The World Health Organization on Thursday granted emergency validation to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, paving the way for countries worldwide to quickly approve its import and distribution.

Britain launched its inoculation drive with the US-German vaccine on December 8, with the United States, Canada and EU countries following suit.

WHO said the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was the first to receive its “emergency validation” since the novel coronavirus first broke out in China a year ago.

“This is a very positive step towards ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines,” said Mariangela Simao, a top WHO official tasked with ensuring access to medicines.

“But I want to emphasise the need for an even greater global effort to achieve enough vaccine supply to meet the needs of priority populations everywhere,” she said in a statement.

WHO said its emergency use listing opens the way for regulators in different countries to approve the import and distribution of the vaccine.

It said it also enables UNICEF, which plays a key logistical role in distributing anti-Covid vaccines, and the Pan-American Health Organization to procure the vaccine for countries that need it.

WHO convened its own experts and those from around the world to review the data on the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine’s “safety, efficacy and quality,” weighing the benefits against the risks.

“The review found that the vaccine met the must-have criteria for safety and efficacy set out by WHO, and that the benefits of using the vaccine to address COVID-19 offset potential risks,” it said.

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Karachi residents booked for aerial firing on New Year’s Eve

Karachi rang in the New Year with a slew of FIRs for aerial firing and one-wheeling.

The city’s police had allowed residents to travel freely on New Year’s Eve but banned aerial firing and one-wheeling.

The first case of the year was lodged in Soldier Bazaar. Three suspects were arrested and their weapons were seized.

In Malir Cantt one suspect was arrested for aerial firing. A licensed weapon was also recovered from his possession.

An arrest was also made in Gulshan-e-Maymar for aerial firing.

In North Karachi and DHA’s Gizri, two men and a woman were arrested for aerial firing.

The police also reported their first ‘encounter’ of the year.

A suspect was shot and injured at the Solangi Stop on Malir Link Road. The other suspect fled.

Eight people were taken into custody for one-wheeling on Seaview Road.

The police had set up a helpline for people to report aerial firing incidents on New Year’s Eve.

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Manchester United’s Cavani handed three-match ban for racist slur

Manchester United forward Edinson Cavani was handed a three-match ban and fined £100,000 for using a racial slur in a social media post.

The 33-year-old summer signing produced a match-winning display at Southampton on November 29, providing an assist for Bruno Fernandes before netting a two goals in a 3-2 comeback win.

Cavani posted a social media message on Instagram shortly after the match, replying to a message of congratulations using the Spanish term “negrito” (small black person).

The Uruguayan swiftly deleted the post and issued an apology after being made aware of the connotations, with the player releasing an apologetic statement saying he was “completely opposed to racism”.

But the Football Association has now punished the striker after he admitted breaching FA Rule E3.

“A comment posted on the Manchester United FC striker’s Instagram page was insulting, abusive, improper and brought the game into disrepute,” the FA said in a statement.

“The post also constitutes an ‘aggravated breach’… as it included reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin,” the statement added.

Manchester United issued a statement saying Cavani was not aware his words could have been misconstrued and “sincerely apologised” for the post and to anyone who was offended.

“Despite his honest belief that he was simply sending an affectionate thank you in response to a congratulatory message from a close friend, he chose not to contest the charge out of respect for, and solidarity with, the FA and the fight against racism in football,” the club said.

United said they hoped the independent regulatory commission appointed to decide the sanction would make it clear in its written reasons that the former Paris Saint-Germain player “is not a racist, nor was there any racist intent in relation to his post”.

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World ushers in New Year in shadow of pandemic

From Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Acropolis, fireworks burst in skies above eerily deserted landmarks as the world ushered in the New Year with muted celebrations and said good riddance to a pandemic-ridden 2020.

After a grinding year that has seen at least 1.7 million people die from Covid-19, fresh waves of infection have sparked renewed lockdowns and forced would-be revellers to extend their 2020 tradition of watching events from the sofa.

The eagerly awaited first seconds of 2021 fell on the Pacific nations of Kiribati and Samoa from 1000 GMT. The uninhabited Howland and Baker Islands will be the last to tip over into the New Year.

New Zealand, which has won plaudits for its handling of the coronavirus, followed Kiribati and Samoa, with large crowds gathered in Auckland to watch a fireworks display.

In Australia’s largest city, Sydney, fireworks lit up the glittering harbour with a dazzling display, but few spectators watched in person.

“I think everybody is looking towards 2021 as a fresh beginning and a fresh start,” Karen Roberts, among the lucky few who were allowed past checkpoints around the area, told AFP at a bar nestled under the Sydney Opera House.

Curfews being enforced

Some Hong Kongers, despite restrictions, ventured out to mark the start of the year, gathering on the Victoria Harbour waterfront to take selfies.

In Tokyo, where residents face the prospect of a state of emergency being imposed after infections touched new highs, people queued in face masks to offer New Year prayers.

Wuhan in China, where the virus first appeared late last year, saw thousands gather to celebrate — and Taipei also enjoyed a more traditionally upbeat celebration with crowds massing to watch fireworks.

Elsewhere, the mood was far more downbeat.

In Russia, President Vladimir Putin acknowledged in a New Year’s address that a second wave of Covid-19 was battering the nation.

“The fight against it does not stop for a minute,” he said.

Italy — where shocking images of makeshift morgues and exhausted medics awoke the world to the severity of the crisis — is on a nationwide lockdown until January 7 with a 10 pm curfew in place.

From France to Latvia and Brazil, police and — in some cases — military personnel are being deployed to make sure curfews or bans on large gatherings are enforced.

Paris and Athens both featured socially distanced gatherings, with a virtual concert and light show over Notre Dame in the French capital and fireworks over the Acropolis in Greece.

In hard-hit London, 74-year-old American singer-songwriter Patti Smith had been due to ring in the New Year with a tribute to National Health Service workers who have died from Covid-19, projected on the screen at Piccadilly Circus and streamed on YouTube.

But due to alarm at rising infections rates, the big screen projection was cancelled with the tribute viewable instead solely online.

A few dozen revellers did arrive in Parliament Square to watch Big Ben chime 11:00 pm — midnight in Brussels — marking the moment that Brexit finally became a reality, with Britain severing its turbulent half-century partnership with Europe.

Police ordered them home well before midnight, however.

Social gathering

A fireworks and laser show was held in Dubai at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, where there has been a slew of new cases. Those watching were required to wear masks and register with identifying QR barcodes.

In Beirut, still reeling from an explosion that devastated the city’s port in August, authorities were also cutting loose.

A curfew was pushed back to 3 am and bars, restaurants and night clubs allowed to reopen to host large parties.

On the banks of Lake Baikal in Siberia, where temperatures plummet to as low as -35 degrees Celsius (-31 Fahrenheit), around a dozen Russians emerged invigorated after a New Year’s Eve ice dip.

The swimmers, known in Russia as “walruses”, ran several kilometres (miles) through a snowy forest in swimsuits and festive costumes before plunging into the world’s largest freshwater lake.

“It’s invigorating. It stings a little!” Andrei Bugai told AFP.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel used her New Year greeting to warn the coronavirus crisis would extend into 2021 even if vaccines bring some hope, as police clashed with revellers near the Brandenburg gate in Berlin.

As the final hours of 2020 ticked away in the Americas, authorities in New York City blocked public access to Times Square, where thousands usually gather to watch a crystal ball drop at midnight.

A star-studded celebration will still be televised from the square with performances from the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Gloria Gaynor — but its confetti will fall onto a largely deserted pavement.

With midnight approaching, the US, the worst-hit country in the world, was also nearing 20 million recorded infections and more than 345,000 deaths.

In Brazil — which has already recorded more than 193,000 Covid-19 deaths, the second-largest number in the world after the US — Rio de Janeiro was blocking beach access to prevent the crowds of revellers who traditionally gather.

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Today’s outlook: World welcomes 2021, PDM calls meeting in Lahore

Here are the news stories we expect to follow today (Friday).

The world rang in the New Year in a muted fashion.
Special prayers were held at mosques across Pakistan to welcome the New Year.
The PDM has called an important meeting of its leaders in Lahore today. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari will attend via video link from Karachi. A PPP delegation will attend the meeting.
The government has called a meeting with the Private Schools Association today.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has dedicated the first day of 2021 to the poor and underprivileged. He will inaugurate a model homeless shelter in Islamabad today.
Home Minister Sheikh Rasheed will tour Peshawar today and address a press conference. He will also visit Landi Kotal.
The Pakistan National Test Squad has reached New Zealand’s Christchurch and will begin training today. The second Test between New Zealand and Pakistan will be played on January 3.

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Moscow train carriage helps rehome stray pets

The Tails and Paws train features posters of dozens of animals in need of a new home.

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US politics in 2021: What's in store for President-elect Biden?

A new president with an agenda that's already set - and an outgoing president who's not leaving quietly.

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Brexit: 'We welcomed the trade deal like a Christmas present'

Europeans in the UK, and British people around Europe, explain what Brexit will mean for them.

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India's love affair with classic British motorbikes

BSA, Norton and Royal Enfield are all owned by Indian firms who want to kickstart the brands.

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Why 2021 will be turning point for tackling climate change

Next year could be a "make or break" moment in the fight against global warming.

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Australia-China row: 'I'm Australian - why do I need to prove my loyalty?'

Many Chinese-Australians fear a "new McCarthyism" as Australia's values are tested by its China row.

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Ten African music stars to look out for in 2021

Elaine, Fik Fameica and Omah Lay are among the stars who have impressed BBC Africa's music experts.

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MF Doom: Hip-hop star dies aged 49

A number of artists have paid tribute to the artist, real name Daniel Dumile.

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Illegal allotment: SHC extends Jam Shoro’s bail till Feb 4

The Sindh High Court extended on Thursday the bail of PPP MPA Jam Khan Shoro and 18 others in an illegal allotment case.

The NAB prosecutor said that an inquiry has been launched against the suspects. He asked for more time to file a reference.

The court approved NAB’s request and extended the suspects’ bail till February 4.

Shoro has been accused of illegally allotting land in Hyderabad for the construction of CNG stations.

Other suspects include Muhammad Bacchal, Asghar Ameen, Muhammad Hussain, Imtiaz Al, Shahnawaz Soomro, Fida Hussain, Abdul Malik, Muhammad Anwar, Zeeshan Qureshi, and Akhar Ali.

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Weather update: Lahore hits 3 degrees, likely to get colder

The weather in Punjab is likely to get colder in the next few days.

Dense fog has been reported in central Punjab and Lahore’s temperature hit three degrees Celsius on Thursday.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department says temperatures will drop further.

Visibility on the motorway is currently at 20 metres

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FIA arrests two men for illegally transferring foreign currency

The Federal Investigation Agency arrested two men for illegally transferring foreign currency in and out of Pakistan.

According to an agency spokesperson, the men, identified as Muhammad Khan and Muhammad Khalil Khan, were involved in white-collar crimes.

“They used to transfer money in multiple currencies in and out of the country off the record to evade taxes,” he said, adding that their mobile phone records have been seized.

The operation was conducted by the FIA’s commercial bank circle.

The suspects were arrested from Bahawalpur and Quetta. an FIR has been registered and further investigations are underway.

Earlier this month, in a year-end report, the FIA revealed that over 10,000 cybercrimes were reported in Karachi in 2020 which is 20% more than last year.

FIA Additional Director Cybercrime Faizullah told SAMAA TV that online shopping scams drastically increased because most businesses went online amid the coronavirus lockdown.

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Khawaja Asif remanded into NAB custody till January 13

An accountability court in Lahore has remanded PML-N MNA Khawaja Asif into NAB custody till January 13. He has been accused of accumulating more assets than his sources of income could account for.

The NAB prosecutor told the court that the MNA owns total assets worth Rs810 million. There is a difference of Rs230 million between the assets he owns and his sources of income.

Asif denied the charges. He said he has been a member of Parliament three times. They should have accused me of making more money than that, he said.

The court had approved the remand till January 14. The date was changed on the request of Asif’s lawyer, Najamul Hassan. He said that Asif has another hearing on January 14 at a Gujranwala court.

The PML-N leader was arrested in Islamabad on December 29. Asif is a member of the National Assembly from NA-73 Sialkot-II.

He was disqualified by the Islamabad High Court ahead of the 2018 general elections for possessing an iqama (foreign employment contract) but the Supreme Court had declared the verdict null and void, and allowed him to contest the election.

He has held key portfolios in the cabinet in the tenure of the PML-N government.

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Sindh’s homeless to get a place to stay this winter

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has ordered the province’s commissioners to set up temporary shelter homes for homeless people this winter.

The homeless will be provided blankets as well. Deputy commissioners across the province will have to ensure that people are facilitated well.

In October, the federal government announced that five shelters will be built in Karachi and one in Islamabad.

The Islamabad shelter is being built in collaboration with Turkey in Tarnol. It will be spread over four kanals and will accommodate 100 people.

It will have a mosque and a separate prayer section for women as well.

According to The Borgen Project, over 20 million Pakistanis are homeless while 35% of the total population falls under the poverty line.

The 2005 earthquake in Pakistan’s northern areas and the 2010 flooding in Punjab swept away slums and thousands of temporary settlements. This increased homelessness across the country as victims have since been constantly relocating.

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10 taken into custody in Sheikhupura after gang rape

Ten people have been taken into custody in Sheikhupura after the gang rape of a young girl during a robbery.

The police have collected DNA samples from the suspects and sent them for analysis.

The attack occurred in Fatehpur village. Three dacoits intercepted a rickshaw in which a family was returning to their home after attending a wedding on December 29.

The suspects tied up the father, mother, brother and a cousin of the survivor, according to the police. They took the two sisters to nearby bushes and gang-raped one of them.

The family resides in the Kakar Gul area and the father works at a brick kiln.

The incident took place in the jurisdiction of the Farooqabad police station, the Sheikhupura regional police officer told SAMAA TV.

A case has been registered. Samples have been collected from the survivour and sent to a laboratory for DNA analysis. The police have vowed action after the reports come back.

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Lahore man shoots accomplice after warehouse robbery

A man and his gang of three robbers stole Rs400,000 from a cement warehouse located near Lahore’s Ferozepur Road on Wednesday.

After the robbery, employees working in the factory grabbed hold of one of the robbers and called the police. During the commotion, the leader of the gang opened fire at his accomplice and fled the scene.

A labourer was injured during the shootout as well.

“This man [the robber shot] has a criminal record and was wanted by police in over 20 cases,” Nishter Colony SHO Abrar Shah said.

The owner of the factory, Muhammad Tufail, told the police that all the robbers had covered their faces making it difficult to identify them.

The police have collected evidence from the crime scene and begun investigations into the case. Raids are underway to arrest the perpetrators as soon as possible.

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Samuel Little: America's 'most prolific' serial killer dies

Samuel Little is thought to have killed 93 women, with his murders going undetected for decades.

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No Karachi roads to be closed this New Year’s Eve

For the first time in years, the Karachi Traffic Police have decided not to close any roads in the city on New Year’s Eve.

Roads leading to Seaview Beach and other public places will remain open.

Seaview Road will, however, be made one-way from McDonald’s to the Village Restaurant.

Traffic heading to Seaview can exit Edhi Avenue to Do Darya at Khayaban-e-Ittehad.

However, the ban on aerial firing ban stays and violators will be booked for attempted murder. The police have set up a separate helpline for complaints of aerial firing.

Motorcycle racing and drifting has also been banned.

Initially, the city’s administration had said restaurants have to close by 5pm but later that was extended till 8pm.

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Today’s outlook: New Year’s Eve, Khawaja Asif appears before court

Here are the news stories we are following today (Thursday):

National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser will decide whether to accept the resignations tendered by PML-N MNAs.
Authorized branches of the State Bank of Pakistan and National Bank of Pakistan have extended their banking hours till 9pm today to collect duties and taxes.
Restaurants and business centres in Karachi will close at 8pm on December 31 to limit New Year’s Eve traffic jams.
The Karachi police have set up a helpline for residents to report aerial firing on New Year’s Eve.
PML-N MNA Khawaja Asif will appear before a Lahore accountability court two days after being arrested by NAB. He’s accused of owning assets more than his income.
The federal cabinet is likely to okay the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority’s call for increasing petrol prices by Rs3.12 per litre.
ICYMI: A historic Hindu temple was set ablaze in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak district on Wednesday, residents and the police said. Click here to read the full story.

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Wang Xiangjun: China's 'Glacier Bro' presumed dead

The Chinese influencer and environmentalist Wang Xiangjun was known for his love of glaciers.

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Nashville explosion: Police probe conspiracy theory motive

Police are trying to determine if conspiracy theories motivated the suspect in the Nashville attack.

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Deepening divisions: Venezuela's haves and have nots

A relaxation of economic restraints has some benefits - for those with access to US dollars.

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Remembering the entertainment and arts figures we lost in 2020

Remembering some of the figures from music, film, TV, radio and literature who died in 2020.

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India's most uplifting social media moments in 2020

From a dancing doctor to a street food stall owner - people who gave hope in the pandemic year.

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Syria attack: At least 28 killed in ambush on bus

A human rights monitor blamed Islamic State for the attack, saying all those killed were soldiers.

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Zhang Zhan: The 'rebellious soul' jailed for filming Wuhan

Citizen journalist Zhang Zhan spoke about why she chose to cover the outbreak before her arrest.

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Republican senator to dispute certification of Biden victory

The tactic is expected to change nothing, but will set the stage for what the Biden camp called "antics".

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Penn Station: New train hall returns beauty to New York station

The newly-designed hall opens on Thursday after the original landmark was demolished in 1963.

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2020 through the lens of a photojournalist

Photojournalist Leah Millis recaps the year with her favourite images from 2020.

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Yemen war: Video shows moment Aden airport attacked

Television cameras were positioned for the arrival of the new government when the attack happened.

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Four protests that triggered change - and one that didn't

The BBC looks at a selection of history's powerful protests and why only some achieved their goals.

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Norway mudslide: Aerial footage shows devastation

At least nine people are injured and houses have been buried in the Norwegian village of Gjerdrum.

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Islamabad IG calls urgent meeting after two truck drivers killed

Islamabad IG Amir Zulfiqar has summoned an urgent meeting of the police after two separate killings were reported in the last 24 hours.

Bikers riding pillion reportedly shot two trucks drivers dead near the Sabzi Mandi area and in Shams Colony. The deceased tried to stop the suspects from robbing their vehicles, the police said.

Their bodies have been moved to a hospital for post-mortem examinations.

The IG wants his officers to identify and track down the suspects immediately to bring the “law and order situation under control”.

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Despite Fawad, Rizwan’s heroics, New Zealand win first Pakistan Test

New Zealand finally managed to break Pakistan’s resilience in the second innings to win the first Test by 101 runs in Tauranga’s Mount Maunganui stadium on Wednesday.

The Green Caps began the final day’s play at 71-3 in chase of 373-run target with Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam batting at 34 and 21 respectively.

The former captain fell in the second over after scoring 38 with four boundaries to his name but the left-handed batsman motored the side with a brilliant century.

He put on a 165-run partnership with captain Mohammad Rizwan who scored a gritty half-century as well.

The wicketkeeper-batsman’s dismissal sparked a collapse as he was trapped leg-before by Kyle Jamieson for 60 while Fawad, who hit 14 boundaries in his 102-run knock, was caught behind on the bowling of Neil Wagner.

Yasir Shah became Jamieson’s second victim as he departed without scoring while Faheem Ashraf’s dismissal left the side reeling at 259-8 .

The visitors then slumped to 261-9 after DRS showed Mitchell Santner’s delivery going on to hit Mohammad Abbas’ stumps.

The tail-end pair of pacemen Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah provided resistance to salvage a draw but it wasn’t to be as the latter was caught and bowled by Santner for one with just four more overs to go.

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‘Proclaimed terrorist’ killed by security forces in Pishin

An alleged terrorist was killed in a shootout with security forces in Balochistan’s Pishin on Tuesday.

According to sources, the suspect was killed in an operation by forces in the Huramzai area. The man, identified as Shah Fazal, opened fire at the officers first but was shot dead during retaliatory fire.

A security forces spokesperson said that Fazal was from the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and was proclaimed in multiple terror attacks.

He was an accomplice of Shazuddin, another terrorist who was recently killed in an operation by the Counter Terrorism Department in Quetta.

On Saturday, a group of terrorists attacked an FC post in the Harnai district of Balochistan in which seven personnel were martyred.

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KP introduces its first food security programme with interest-free loans

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has a new programme to improve agricultural production and provide employment in the province.

As part of the programme, hundreds of thousands of acres of barren land will be made arable. This project especially hopes to employee thousands of unemployed women.

Under the project, 584,000 acres of barren land will be made arable and Rs142.27 billion will be spent on a new dam and irrigation system.

An approximate Rs50 million will be spent on olive cultivation.

The government also plans to spend Rs10 billion on an interest-free loan programme and another Rs5 billion on an easy payment loan programme for farmers.

This is KP’s first food security programme.

It will also be giving subsidies. To increase the production of wheat, rice, sugarcane and edible oils, the government will be providing a subsidy of Rs2 billion.

Rs2 billion will be given to increase the production of vegetables, Rs2 billion for a calf rescue programme for better meat production and another Rs2 billion on modern slaughterhouses.

The fisheries and livestock sectors will be given Rs3 billion as well.

The government will also create 4,500 field assistant positions in rural areas.

KP Labour Minister Shaukat Yousafzai said the main purpose of the programme is to achieve agricultural self-sufficiency. This includes short, mid and long-term policies, he explained.

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CNG stations across Sindh, Balochistan closed till January 2

The Sui Southern Gas Company has announced that CNG stations across Sindh and Balochistan will remain closed till January 2. They will reopen at 8am on Saturday.

The company has cited an increase in the demand for domestic consumers as the reason for the suspension. Our priority is supplying gas for household purposes, the SSGC said.

The All Pakistan CNG Association has condemned the decision which is likely to force public transporters to increase daily fares since they will have to move to petrol for a few days.

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China Covid-19: Nearly 500,000 in Wuhan may have had virus, says study

The study by Chinese officials suggests there were more positive cases in Wuhan than official figures suggest.

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Luke Letlow: Newly-elected US lawmaker, 41, dies from Covid

Luke Letlow, 41, was due to be sworn in as a Republican Representative for Louisiana on Sunday.

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Gilgit-Baltistan’s Skardu road reopens for traffic

Gilgit-Baltistan reopened on Wednesday the Skardu road for traffic after a closure of three days.

The road had been closed by the Frontier Works Organisation for its extension. The road near Shango required blasting for expansion.

According to the FWO, the construction would have ideally been completed in a day but took three days. During blasting, rocks and boulders from the mountains fell on the road, blocking it completely.

Following this Gilgit, Skardu and multiple other areas in the region lost contact with other parts of the country, leading to difficulties for residents.

The road has now been cleared and is open for all types of traffic.

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Watch SAMAA TV Headlines 9am Pakistan – 30 December 2020

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Today’s outlook: Senate to debate Asif’s arrest, PPP eyes election

Here are the news stories we are following today (Wednesday):

The Maulana Fazlur Rehman-led PDM has suffered a major blow after ally PPP called for participation in the upcoming Senate elections. The party ruled out resigning from the national and provincial assemblies. If we leave the Parliament, there’s no platform left to challenge the PTI government, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto said. On the other hand, PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz says that 90% of her party’s MPAs and MNAs have handed her their resignations.
NAB has arrested PML-N MNA Khawaja Asif in an assets beyond means case.
A Senate session has been called on the opposition’s request. The PML-N will debate Khawaja Asif’s arrest.
The Economic Coordination Committee is likely to approve the Textile Policy 2020-25 and a supplementary grant of Rs2.26 billion for the HEC.
The federal cabinet has given the go-ahead to the FIA and FBR to investigate hidden assets of Pakistanis abroad.
CNG stations across Karachi and Quetta will remain closed for the next three days.
The Ministry of Health has confirmed that six of 12 passengers who arrived in Pakistan from Britain have tested positive for the coronavirus. Three of them had the new coronavirus strain that was first detected in the UK.

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China jails Hong Kong activists for between seven months and three years

The democracy activists were caught at sea as they tried to flee by speedboat to Taiwan.

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Covid: Sydney announces new restrictions ahead of New Year

The Australian city is battling a worsening outbreak after months of next to no cases.

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North Korea defectors: Why it's getting harder to escape

Hundreds of defectors make the perilous journey every year, and now it's become even more arduous.

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Tamir Rice killing: US closes investigation into 2014 shooting

The death of the 12-year-old boy, who had been holding a toy gun, led to widespread protests.

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Iraqi interpreters 'stalked by death squads' for helping the British

Ali and Ahmed helped British forces but now they live in fear of being killed by death squads.

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Quarantine meals: The 2020 food trend no-one predicted

Across the world, people in quarantine facilities were treated to some weird and wonderful combinations.

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Notable African deaths of 2020: From jazz legends to football heroes

A look back at some of the iconic figures on the African continent who we said farewell to this year.

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Covid-19: Biden says Trump vaccine roll-out is 'falling behind'

The US president-elect calls for vaccinations to be ramped up as he warns of a "tough period" ahead.

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2020 and me: 'We need to learn life lessons from this'

Mahnaz Rehman lost her husband during lockdown in Karachi, Pakistan.

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Belarus protests: The demonstrators speaking out in new and creative ways

Faced by a government crackdown, demonstrations over the disputed August election have been forced to evolve.

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Iraqi interpreters 'stalked by death squads' for helping the British

Ali and Ahmed helped British forces but now they live in fear of being killed by death squads.

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Fashion lookahead: Eight major 2021 looks from tie-dye to pastels

The patterns, prints, materials and accessories we're likely to be wearing this year.

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What my grandfather's life taught me about China and America

Vincent Ni reflects on the long life of his grandfather and a crucial choice he made as a young man.

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Lahore DC instructed to return vehicles of Turkish waste management company

The Lahore High Court has ordered the deputy commissioner to return the vehicles of a Turkish waste management company.

The Lahore Waste Management Company seized on December 22 the vehicles after cancelling the contract of two Turkish contractors, Ozpak and Albayrak, nine days before the MoU expired and started the cleanup operation on its own.

It claimed that the step was taken after consulting the Turkish companies. Ozpak and Albayrak had, however, denied this.

One company approached the high court seeking the return of its machinery.

The agreement states that the companies were given till December 31 to continue working in Lahore, the court said and disposed of the case.

The government’s lawyer claimed that the companies stopped working on December 10. Piles of trash had accumulated in the city, he said.

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Fawad, Azhar keep Pakistan’s hopes alive of saving first Test

Fawad Alam and Azhar Ali put on a brave display to give Pakistan some hope of saving the first Test against New Zealand at Tauranga’s Mount Maunganui stadium on Tuesday.

The visitors were 71-3 at stumps in chase of 373-run target with Azhar and Fawad unbeaten at 34 and 21 respectively.

The fourth day’s play began with the hosts starting their second innings with a lead of 192 runs. They declared at 180-5 as the opening pair of Tom Blundell and Tom Latham scored half-centuries.

Blundell scored seven boundaries on his way to 64 whereas Latham’s 53-run knock included three fours.

Naseem Shah was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors as he returned with figures of 3-55 in 12.3 overs.

In reply, the Green Caps had the worst start possible as openers Shan Masood and Abid Ali both departed without scoring while Haris Sohail chipped in with nine.

Azhar Ali then motored the side along with Fawad Alam with their unbeaten 34-run partnership.

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Karachi winters expected to break seven-year record

Karachi reported December’s lowest temperature so far at seven degrees on Tuesday.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the weather is expected to remain cold and dry throughout the upcoming week.

The city is expected to break its seven-year record, a Met department spokesperson said

Another cold wave is expected to enter the city in January along with rain in the first week of the month. “Karachi will witness rain between January 6 and 7 along with Siberian winds.”

He pointed out that last time in 2013, the temperature in the city dropped to six degrees.

On the other hand, cold has gripped the entire country especially the northern areas. Multiple areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Balochistan saw freezing temperatures.

The Khalti Lake in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghizer has frozen over as the district’s temperatures hit -17 degrees. The Shyok River in the region, too, started freezing after the degrees dropped to -15.

In Punjab, fog reappeared after taking visibility down in a majority of the areas such as Lahore. Following this, people were advised to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary and use fog lights while driving.

After the cold, a gas shortage was reported in multiple cities across the country. People have been forced to cook on wood and LPG cylinders.

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Faking it on Fiverr isn’t how Pakistanis will make it

Pakistanis earning by selling their skills on freelance platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork are stuck in a Catch-22: without reviews they won’t get work and without work they can’t get reviews. But in true jugardu style, as anyone could have told you, they have found a way: buying fake reviews.

This is how it works: Freelancers register with these websites and create their profiles describing their skills. A profile will tell you their “gigs” or services that they sell (graphic designing, copy writing, video editing etc).

“When a new seller joins the freelancing platform and puts up their gig, they need someone to put up a positive review on their profile,” explains Agha Nasir Hussain, who is AI lead at Presidential Initiative for Artificial Intelligence & Computing and has been training freelancers for three years. “To get that positive review, they either have to ask a cousin or friend living abroad to post a fake job. They then apply for that job, get it done and an exchange of payment takes place.” The cousin transfers money to their account so the freelancing platform sees official documentation of work and money between the two parties.

This is “unethical yet necessary,” adds Hussain.
If you do not have a cousin or friend abroad then there are people on Facebook groups who sell reviews and work through multiple buyer accounts registered within Pakistan or abroad. The review seller takes money in advance, including a service fee.

Gaming the system?

A review seller who did not want to reveal his identity explained how the system works. “For example, if you are a designer who can illustrate and design logos for companies and brands, you create a profile and publish a gig. You then approach me to get fake reviews.”

The designer and review seller make a deal. “I will post three reviews for $25,” explained the review seller, “but you will pay $55.” The rate is between $10 and $15 and they give packages for bulk reviews from verified buyer accounts.

The review seller puts together a requirement that matches the designer’s work. He posts a job for, say, a logo design and keep the price at $10. He creates another job for graphic design for $10 and then another for an illustration for $10. The designer transfers $55 to the review seller’s bank account and then applies for exactly those jobs he posted. The review seller picks the designer, who submits some of his old work. The jobs are “done” and the review seller returns the $30 to show that a payment transaction has taken place. He earns $25 and the designer gets three favourable reviews.

This helps the freelancer gain “credibility”.

Where does it go wrong?

The problem with fake reviews is that it is unsustainable. You can buy as many reviews as you like but when it will come to doing real work, you won’t measure up. Constant failure to complete your jobs can risk a permanent ban from the platform.

People even get into trouble if the platform catches fake reviews and disables them. The website will then scan all profiles reviewed from a fake account and they all get booted out.

Freelancer Awais Manzoor from Lahore, whose account was suspended on Fiverr, said that he violated third-party content twice. “I was working fine at Fiverr,” he said, “One day I made a gig for a video and I received a notification for third-party content and my gig was removed. I made another gig but it had a third-party violation disclaimer as well. Before I could do anything, my account was logged out and I received an email that my account was suspended.”

How does freelancing website detect if reviews are fake or real?

Every computer has an internet protocol address (IP) address through which the location, online activities of a user can be tracked. If a fake reviewer routes directly to a specific seller profile or seller gig and assigns them a job even though they have no prior experience, the website may find it suspicious and flag both accounts involved.

Websites can also spot a faker when seller gig prices fluctuate. People usually lower their gig prices to the minimum to get fake reviews and then take them higher once the reviews are done. Crawlers may find this suspicious and flag the accounts.

Fiverr issued a statement last year about fake reviews, which is punishes with permanent suspension. “To prevent any misuse of our feedback system, all feedback reviews must come from legitimate sales executed exclusively through the Fiverr platform from users within our Community,” it said. “Purchases arranged, determined to artificially enhance seller ratings, or to abuse the Fiverr platform with purchases from additional accounts, will result in a permanent suspension of all related accounts.”

Plenty of seller accounts from Pakistan have been blocked on Fiverr and Upwork. This has made the platforms stricter for Pakistani sellers who are facing a hard time getting jobs.

What can be reasons behind an account ban?

Arsalan Khan, a freelancer who has been working online for three years, started from scratch and owns his software house in Lahore now. He lists the reasons an account can be disabled on Fiverr:

1. If you use multiple accounts from the same computer and IP address: He says, “If I have a software house and there are nine people working under one roof, I need nine different computers and nine different internet connections to generate a unique IP address for each person.”

2. If you gets a project as a seller and put it up again on the same platform as a buyer. This can lead to a permanent ban from Fiverr.

3. If a seller gets more than three reports in a month from buyers.

4. You account can be suspended if you have third-party content violations. This happens when a seller copies someone else’s content and gig. This is considered plagiarised content and the account holder can be disabled from the platform.

5. If a seller is rude or tries to make personal contact with the buyer to get contracts outside Fiverr.

6. If the freelancing website’s crawler detects that you have forged reviews or the reviews you have received are fake. The platform may put you on its ban list for life.

“People usually make these mistakes and then try to generate tickets and make requests to get unbanned,” added Arsalan Khan. “They come to me for help but I tell them that this cannot be undone.” He laid emphasis on following the rules of the company. “If a company has a policy, we have to follow it,” he said. “Pakistanis do not read terms and conditions; they just start going wild which has to led to a bad reputation for all Pakistani freelancers. Pakistan does not have PayPal and people around the world are not comfortable doing business with us and this fake review stuff has hit us hard.”

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Three children killed in Karachi house fire

Three siblings aged 1, 5 and 6 were killed Monday night after their home in Karachi’s Kashmir Colony caught fire.

Rescue men said that the children died on the spot while their parents survived. Another badly burnt child was taken to the Civil hospital burns unit in critical condition.

It isn’t clear what started the fire.

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Four Punjab motorways closed over dense fog

Four motorways in Punjab have been closed for traffic after dense fog blanketed major cities on Tuesday.

The motorway shut down are:

The M2 Motorway from Sheikhupura to Pindi Bhattian
The M3 Motorway from Lahore to Abdul Hakeem
The M4 Motorway from Pindi Bhattian to Shamkot
The M5 Motorway from Multan to Jhangra

Punjab Motorway Police spokesperson Syed Imran Ahmed told SAMAA TV that visibility has reduced to zero on the national highway as well.

He advised people to avoid traveling. “If traveling is very necessary, use fog lights, maintain a distance with other vehicles ahead and avoid speeding.”

The Met Office has forecast heavy fog till next week in Lahore, Kartarpur, Ahmedabad, Zafarwal and Narowal.

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Four shot dead over land in North Waziristan

Four people were killed in an exchange of fire over a property fight in North Waziristan on Tuesday, the police said.

The killings took place in village Mir Ali’s Moski. According to the police, both the parties had been fighting for a while over the ownership of land.

On Tuesday, after a heated argument, the opponents opened fire at each other during which one person was injured.

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Irrfan Khan’s last movie to release next year

Late Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan’s last film The Song Of Scorpions has been slated to release in 2021.

Film critic and movie trade analyst Taran Adarsh announced the news on Twitter on Monday

IRRFAN’S LAST MOVIE… #Irrfan‘s last film – #TheSongOfScorpions – to release in 2021… Directed by Anup Singh… Presented by Panorama Spotlight and 70mm Talkies. pic.twitter.com/RHJzxNYbXl
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) December 28, 2020

Directed by Anup Singh, the drama revolves around an independent young tribal woman, who tries to overcome a brutal betrayal and in the process finds her voice. Irrfan, who died in April this year, will be seen in the role of a camel trader.

The Song Of Scorpions, which also stars Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani and veteran Bollywood actor Waheeda Rehman, premiered at the 70th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland in 2017.

Earlier this year, Irrfan Khan’s son Babil shared a throwback picture of the late actor in a still from the film in which Irrfan is sitting in front of a camel.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Babil (@babil.i.k)

Khan breathed his last on April 29 at the age of 54. He was admitted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital with a colon infection.

The actor was still under treatment when he returned to the acting world with his last release, Angrezi Medium, a follow-up to his 2017 hit, Hindi Medium. He was away from the big screen since the release of Karwaan in 2018, the year he was diagnosed.

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India beat Australia in second Test to level series

India registered a comfortable eight-wicket win against Australia inside four days of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne on Tuesday.

The visitor’s level the four-match series 1-1 with the third game to be played from January 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Rahane, deputising during Virat Kohli’s paternity leave, hit an unbeaten 27 in Melbourne — after a century in the first innings — as India reached the meagre target of 70 for the loss of two wickets.

It capped a remarkable comeback for an Indian side desperate to make amends after losing in Adelaide by eight wickets, when they posted their lowest ever score of 36 and were widely criticised at home.

And they bounced back without superstar and batting maintstay Kohli, who has returned home for the birth of his first child.

“Really proud of all the players,” said Rahane. “I want to give credit to the debutants (Mohammed) Siraj and (Shubman) Gill, the character they showed after the Adelaide loss was great to see. Character was important for us.”

Kohli, watching at home in India, tweeted his congratulations.

“What a win this is, absolutely amazing effort by the whole team,” he said. “Couldn’t be happier for the boys and specially Jinks (Rahane) who led the team to victory amazingly.”

‘Sloppy cricket’

Under the mild-mannered Rahane, India battled hard to dismiss Australia for 195 in the first innings and then posted 326 in reply.

Australia resumed their second innings on day four on 133 for six with a two-run lead, and their hopes resting on 21-year-old rookie all-rounder Cameron Green.

He made 45 as they battled to 200 before tail-ender Josh Hazlewood was the last man to fall before lunch.

Siraj took 3-37 with Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin grabbing two each.

Rahane and Gill (35) then saw India home, but not before some nervous moments.

Mitchell Starc got a nick from the out-of-form Mayank Agarwal (5), which Tim Paine caught, then Pat Cummins snared Cheteshwar Pujara for three, edged to Green at gully.

It left India on 19 for two before they regained their composure to seal the win.

“Very disappointed, played poor cricket, sloppy cricket,” said Australia captain Paine. “Let’s not take anything away from India, they forced us to make mistakes. They bowled beautifully, we haven’t adapted as well as we would’ve liked. Disappointed as a batting group, but two Tests to go.”

Match-winner Rahane

Australia collapsed to 99 for six in the run chase on Monday before Green and Cummins knuckled down to weather 18 overs and steer them to stumps.

Green showed glimpses of his magic, cutting Ashwin and driving Bumrah beautifully for fours, while also exhibiting patience.

But in only his second Test, he was undone by Siraj, caught by Jadeja as he looked to find the boundary with a pull shot, ending a 146-ball stay.

Cummins survived chances on 15 and 19, but when Bumrah took the new ball he finally fell, gloving a rising delivery to Agarwal.

Starc was unbeaten on 14 with Nathan Lyon caught behind off Siraj for three, and Hazlewood making 10.

Australia’s hopes rested with the tail-enders after their top order failed to fire, exposing the fragile nature of their batting in the absence of the injured David Warner.

Opener Joe Burns again flopped, out for four, to put his place in the team for the third Test next week at risk, while Travis Head (17) also disappointed and Steve Smith’s poor run continued, gone for eight.

Their troubles came despite India being a bowler down following Umesh Yadav’s calf strain on Monday, a further setback for a team already missing Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma.

But India’s weakened attack rose to the occasion, with Bumrah at the top of his game and Siraj impressing, while experienced spinners Jadeja and Ashwin consistently posed problems.

But it was Rahane’s gritty 112 that ultimately proved match-winning.

He came to the crease with his team in trouble at 64 for three and, against one of the world’s most potent bowling attacks, reached a 12th Test century, one that pundits rated as perhaps his most important ever.

The third Test is due to start on January 7 in Sydney.

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Watch SAMAA TV Headlines 9am Pakistan – 29 December 2020

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Covid: US House votes to boost stimulus package payments

The chamber backs President Trump's call for $2,000 payments but the move could stall in the Senate.™

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Today’s outlook: Karachi becomes colder, Centre acts against timber mafia

Here are some of the stories from Pakistan that we are following today (Tuesday):

The federal cabinet will meet today. A summary on tree cutting in Gilgit-Baltistan will be presented before it.
The central executive committee of the PPP will meet today. They are expected to discuss the resignations of the party’s MPAs and MNAs as part of the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s protest against the government.
The PML-N will celebrate its Foundation Day today. PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz will address the ceremony.
The Punjab Teachers Union will stage a protest outside CM House today.
The Supreme Court Karachi Registry will hear cases on encroachments in Karachi and the circular railway. Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed is in Karachi till Friday.
Pakistan has extended its ban on flights from the United Kingdom until January 4, 2021, its Civil Aviation Authority said Monday. Islamabad last week banned flights from the UK until December 29 after a new strain of coronavirus emerged there. The restriction is applicable to all direct and indirect flights from the UK. It will also apply to all the people travelling from the UK who have been there for 10 days.
ICYMI: The Balochistan High Court sought on Monday a reply from the federal and provincial government officials in the Gwadar fencing case. A two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel and Justice Abdul Hameed Baloch heard on Monday a petition filed by Balochistan Bar Council Vice-Chairman Muneer Ahmed Kakar. The petition says the fencing of the port city would affect the lives of more than 300,000 people.

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Japan developing wooden satellites to cut space junk

A Japanese forestry firm has partnered with Kyoto University in what would be a world first.

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Australian man and child saved after friends walk 12 hours for help

Their friends walked for 12 hours through the Australian desert to seek help after their car got stuck.

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India migrants: The tragedy of the tuk-tuk driver who fled Covid

Rajan Yadav is one of millions of migrant workers whose lives were destroyed by India's lockdown.

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China Covid-19: How state media and censorship took on coronavirus

We look back at how China's propaganda and censorship machine responded during a particularly dramatic year.

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Seeking justice for Lion Sleeps Tonight composer

A music producer remixes an old classic to correct some injustices of the past.

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Coronavirus: Spain to keep registry of those who refuse Covid vaccine

Vaccination will not be mandatory, officials say, and the register will not be made public.

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Zoom: All the times virtual meetings didn't go as planned this year

From animal interruptions to catching fire, here's a look back at the year we spent (badly) online.

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Will concerts come back in 2021? And other music stories to look out for

How will live shows look when they resume in 2021, and other music stories to look out for.

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Covid in prison: 'We should be treated like humans'

Reports suggest one-in-five prisoners have tested positive for Covid in the US, and 1,700 have died.

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When Greta Thunberg met Margaret Atwood... on Zoom

The teenage climate activist and veteran author and environmentalist were brought together by Radio 4's Today Programme.

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The big tech questions for 2021

After a year that saw tech companies prosper, we look ahead to what the coming 12 months could bring.

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Despite Faheem’s heroics, NZ on top in first Pakistan Test

New Zealand were in a comfortable position against Pakistan in the first Test at Tauranga’s Mount Maunganui stadium on Monday.

The visitors were sent packing for 239 by the close of third day’s play in reply to the Black Caps’ first innings total of 431 all out.

Mohammad Rizwan’s side started the day’s play at their overnight score of 30-1.

However, the situation turned dire as Pakistan slumped to 80-6 with the top and middle-order providing a futile resistance to the Kiwi bowlers.

Captain Rizwan and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf provided a much-needed fight with their respective half-centuries.

They put on a 107-run partnership for the seventh wicket before the wicketkeeper-batsman was run out for 71 with eight boundaries to his name.

Faheem was undoubtedly the star player in the batting department with his gritty 91-run knock which saved the visitors from the prospect of follow on.

Kyle Jamieson was the most successful bowler for the Kiwis as he returned with 3-50 while Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner took two wickets each.

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PDM summons meeting in Lahore on January 31

The Pakistan Democratic Movement has summoned a meeting with all the opposition party heads in Lahore’s Raiwind on January 31.

It will be presided over by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

The meeting will discuss the anti-government rallies that were held across the country starting October this year, the plan for the upcoming year and the Senate elections.

The leadership of the movement is adamant on giving the PTI government a tough time with its resignations and a long march. PPP’s Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N’s Nawaz Sharif will give their opinions regarding resignations.

The PDM held a rally in Larkana on Sunday. PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in his speech, said the opposition will march to Islamabad if Prime Minister Imran Khan doesn’t resign by January 31.

What is the Pakistan Democratic Movement?

The PDM, which comprises 11 opposition parties, has been staging anti-government rallies across Pakistan.

The first rally was held in Gujranwala on October 16, the second in Karachi on October 18, and the third in Quetta on October 25. The movement’s fifth rally was held in Peshawar on November 22 and its sixth in Multan on November 30.

The opposition members said there should be accountability for anyone accused of corruption, not just the opposition. At the rallies, the opposition leaders also challenged the country’s powerful establishment, accusing them of bringing the PTI government to power through systematic rigging.

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Shahid Khaqan Abbasi travels to US for two weeks

PML-N MNA Shahid Khaqan Abbasi left for the US Monday morning. He will return after two weeks

On December 26, the federal cabinet removed Abbasi’s name from the Exit Control List.

The former PM requested permission to fly to the US to meet his sister and brother-in-law who have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus. He said they have been shifted to the intensive care unit and he wants to visit them.

Corruption cases

The National Accountability Bureau has been investigating Abbasi in a number of corruption cases.

On November 16, an Islamabad accountability court indicted Abbasi in the LNG terminal reference.

Abbasi, who served as the PM from August 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018, after the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif , has been accused of awarding the LNG Terminal-1 contract in a non-transparent way. NAB claimed that from 2013 to 2017, unexplained deposits of Rs1.4 billion and Rs1.2 billion were made to Abbasi and his son’s bank accounts.

Abbasi has denied the charges.

On August 5, Abbasi was indicted in the illegal Pakistan State Oil appointments case.

Abbasi has been accused of illegally appointing Sheikh Imranul Haq as the managing director of PSO and Yaqoob Sattar as the deputy managing director (finance) while he was serving as the minister of petroleum and natural resources from June 7, 2013 to July 28, 2017.

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Khushab’s Soon Valley receives season’s first snowfall

Khushab’s Soon Valley received the season’s first snowfall on Sunday, covering the picturesque valley in a blanket of snow.

Snowfall will continue for two more days, according to the Met department.

Known as Murree’s twin, the valley extends from Padrar village to Sakear, the highest peak in the Salt Range.

The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab looks after the valley, which boasts Uchali Lake, Khabeki Lake, Kanhatti, and Anmb Shareef as some of its popular attractions.

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Dr Mahinder Watsa: India’s most famous ‘sexpert’ dies at 96

Dr Mahinder Watsa was 80 when he started his hugely popular column, answering people’s queries on sex.

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Video: Ghizer’s Khalti Lake freezes, transforms into children’s playground

The Khalti Lake in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghizer has frozen over as the district’s temperatures hit -17 degrees.

Children in Ghizer were spotted skating, running and playing with their friends on the frozen lake. Some children even played sports such as cricket and football on it.

The Gupis Valley’s lake, which is situated 120 kilometres away from Gilgit, is said to be between 30 to 70 feet deep. The lake’s widest part spans one kilometre and freezes in November. It remains frozen till March.

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135kg hashish recovered from Quetta ambulance after accident

Four people were killed after an ambulance crashed into a bus in Quetta’s Mastung. According to the Levies force, 135 kilograms of hashish was recovered from the ambulance.

The accident took place Sunday night when the driver lost control of the speeding ambulance. It was taking a coronavirus patient from Quetta to Karachi.

The driver was critically injured in the crash and has been moved to Sheikh Zayed Hospital. The bodies were also taken there.

A Levies spokesperson said during the rescue operation, they found the drugs hidden in a secret compartment on the roof of the ambulance.

A case has been registered and investigations have begun.

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Ex-Pakistan Post Office workers protest Sindh govt’s ‘illegal land possession’

Retired employees of the Pakistan Post Office staged a protest outside the Supreme Court Karachi registry on Monday.

They claim that the Sindh government has illegally occupied their plots in PECHS with the aid of former Malir SSP Rao Anwar.

“They have set up Abdullah Shah Ghazi Goth on our plots which we bought with life savings,” the protesters said.

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed will arrive at the Karachi registry today (Monday) to hear cases and the protesters want him to take up their matter urgently.

“The chief justice should immediately order the recovery of our land,” they added.

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Body of four-year-old boy found in empty plot in Lahore

The body of a four-year-old boy was in an empty plot in Lahore’s Gulbahar Colony, the police said on Monday.

According to the family, the child had left the house Saturday night to visit his neighbours but never returned. After searching for him, his father filed a missing persons complaint at the police station.

“On Sunday morning, his body was found in an empty plot in the neighbourhood,” a police officer said, adding that it’s suspected that the child was strangled to death.

The body has been moved to a hospital for a post-mortem examination.

The victim’s family has appealed that the perpetrators be arrested immediately. “What does one get out of murdering a child?” his mother questioned.

An FIR has been registered. The police have collected evidence from the crime scene and further investigations are underway.

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Sarah Khan request prayers for her late father

Pakistani actor Sarah Khan, who lost her father a few days back, is still coming to terms with the loss.

She took to Instagram and shared a touching picture of a painting called The First Moments in Heaven along with a caption remembering her late parents.

The painting showed a sweet moment of children being reunited with their parents.

“RABIR HUM HUMA KAMA RABAYANEE SAGHEERA (my lord, have mercy upon them (my parents) as they brought me up (when I was) small),” reads the caption.

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A post shared by Mrs.Falak (@sarahkhanofficial)

She asked her followers to pray for her deceased parents.

“This painting is called the first moments in heaven. I can’t wait for the day when we reunite again InshAllah. Please remember my baba and mama in your prayers.”

The post was followed by prayers and condolences for Sarah and her sister Noor Zafar Khan.

Khan is currently starring in HUM TV’s drama Raqs-e-Bismal along with Imran Ashraf and Anoushey Abbasi.

In July, she tied the knot with singer Falak during the lockdown.

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