11,700 dead in massive earthquack in turkiye and Syria,Erdogan feels helpless
The widespread disaster, which has collapsed thousands of buildings and affected an unknown number of people,has overwhelmed relief efforts already hampered by freezing weather.Survivors had to find food and shelter.Searchers are doing their best to pulling people out from the debris.Three days after the 7.8-magnitude quake, already one of the deadliest earthquakes of the century, search parties continued to drag survivors from the rubble even as the death toll continued to rise.Amid mounting criticism online,Erdogan has admitted he has had trouble responding to one of the worst-hit places,the epicenter of the Kahramanmara earthquake.“Of course there are flaws,” he said. The terms are clear.It is impossible to prepare for such a catastrophe.Even the buildings that didn’t collapse were badly damaged. There are more people under the rubble than above,”he added.There are people under each collapsed building.Only 10 people are trying to pull them out and there is no machinery,” he added. The White Helmets, leading efforts to rescue people buried under rubble in Syria,have appealed for international help in this worst time.
Controversy over Muslim Indian cricket team players not wearing tilak
After a video of the Indian cricket team hitting a player’s forehead with a tilak at a hotel reception went viral, his media storm erupted and two players, Mohammad Siraj and Imran Malik, crashed into the ring.They were criticized for avoiding tilak.Please note that this video was recently published on social media. One by one,players were seen stepping ahead and the staff was applying tilak on the foreheads of Indian cricketers while entering through the door.When Mohammad Siraj and Imran Malik are seen in the same video, they keep walking and avoid Tilak.It should be noted that with the exception of Muhammad Siraj and Imran Malik, there are other members of the Indian team avoided tilak too.q Muhammad Siraj is trending on Twitter in both Hindi and English. There are no details on when or where this video came from, but it is speculated that it was either during the series against New Zealand or during the series against Sri Lanka.In sharing this video clip, Suresh Chauhanke, CMD and editor-in-chief of Sudarshan TV, criticized Mohammad Siraj and Imran Malik, stating, “Mohammed Siraj and Imran Malik did not rub their foreheads at the reception.It was planted.They are player in the Indian team,not Pakistan. Over 11,000 likes, over 5,000 retweets, and over 600 comments.One user’s Varandev even said, “There is nothing wrong with using Tilak. By doing this,they are disrespecting players and action needs to be taken against them.” To give the video a religious and national angle,Muhammad Zubair, co-founder of the fact-checking website Alt News said “Vikram Rathor and Hariprasad Mohan” too did not apply Tilak.But Suresh Chauhanke and other right-wing accounts all focus on Muslim players such as Imran Malik and Mohammad Siraj.We must not put religion in sport”he stated.
Punjab is all set to welcome 3000 Sikh pilgrims this year
In 2023,over 3000 Indian Sikh pilgrims will travel to Pakistan to celebrate Baisakhi,also known as vaisakhi. A meeting led by Habib-ur-Rehman Gilani(chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board) was convened to coordinate plans for the festival and other activities with other organizations. The meeting was attended by Shrein Deputy Secretary Rana Shahid Saleem, Shrine Deputy Secretary Saifula Kokar and Sardar Ameer Singh of Pakistani Sikh Gurudwara Prabandak Committee (PSGPC). Representatives of Federal and State Agencies,Rangers,Police and District Administration,Lahore,Nancana Sahib,Narowal and Hasan Abdal officials also attended the meeting. Deputy Secretary Shrein detailed the schedule and preparations for the Baisakhi Festival and “Khalsa Janam Day celebrations”. The additional secretary of shrines gave a detailed plan about the security and arrangements for pilgrims.
Mickey Arthur will join Pakistani cricket team as a consultant
Mickey Arthur is being finalised to work as a consultant with the Pakistan team with his own handpicked support staff. PCB chairman Sethi confirmed the news and said “Currently Mickey Arthur is selecting his support staff which will comprise five officials.“While three officials have been picked and two are remaining,and as soon as he gives the names of his selected support staff,we will move forward to hire their services.” Arthur’s return as the Pakistan head coach has been in tal since Sethi took control of the board, replacing former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja.After that PCB did confirm its correspondence with Arthur but also suggested talks with him had fallen apart due to the coach`s contractual duties for English county side “Derbyshire”.The board once said the option to hire Arthur as either a coach or as a consultant to the PCB on a time-sharing basis with Derbyshire,was seen difficult on both sides,But last week he showed positive response to Sethi and informed about his decision.Mickey Arthur coached Pakistan from 2016 to 2019.In his period,Pakistan won 2017 ICC Champions trophy and placed on number one in the international Twenty20 ranking.But the 54-year-old was dismissed after Pakistan missed out on reaching the semi-finals of 2019 World Cup in England. Arthur, who has also coached his native country South Africa and Sri Lanka,now manages Derbyshire for 3 years contract.
Prince Jackson is all happy as cousin Jaafar playing his dad in Biopic ‘Michael’
Michael Jackson son Prince couldn’t be happier on cousin playing his dad in biopicMichael Jackson’s son Prince Jackson reacted after his cousin, Jaafar Jackson, landed big role of playing the “King of Pop”in his biopic “Michael”.The actor and producer took to Instagram to extend his heartiest congratulations to Jaafar with an iconic image of his late father. “My cousin @jaafarjackson is going to be playing my father in the upcoming biopic produced by @gkfilms and directed by @antoinefuqua!,” he wrote in his caption.“Truthfully I couldn`t be happier and prouder for him,he`s been working his (expletive) off and I know he`s going to do an amazing job,” Prince added. “Just being himself, he embodies so much of my dad and I`m confident we are all going to do our best to show the world a part of my father they`ve never seen and that they deserve to see.”The upcoming film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, will shed light on all aspects of his life “including his most iconic performances that led him to become the greatest entertainer of all time.” Prince further wrote, “To all of my family`s fans and supporters out there thank you for your continued support and love.”“We all know my father and Jaafar`s uncle was such an incredible human being and everyone at @gkfilms is dedicated and excited to bring my father`s story to the big screen. “This project means a lot to me for many reasons.I am so excited to be on this journey with my family.”“@jaafarjackson, I know you’ll be a great companion,and I couldn’t be more proud and happy for you, he wrote.
Indian team finally arrives as West Asian baseball kicks off
The Indian baseball team has been stranded at the Wagah border since arriving on Wednesday, waiting to receive a NOC from the government,the Indian baseball team has finally arrived in Pakistan via Wahga border on Friday.They came after two days since the tournament has been started.On Friday, they were allowed to travel across the border to Islamabad to compete in the West Asia Baseball Championship, which started here on Friday.In the first game of the tournament, Pakistan won his 17–0 victory over Afghanistan as Fakir Hussein scored his three runs and Wasim Akram added his two runs, including a home run. The home side’s Mohammad Hussein, Arslan, Fazal Khan, Shahzad and Mohammad Younis all scored twice.In the second match of the day, defending champions Sri Lanka defeated Nepal with 26-0 win. Nepal, Bangladesh and Palestine are other teams participating in regional competitions.The president of the Pakistan Baseball Association, Fakhar Ali Shah, expressed his joy at the arrival of the Indian player and hoped the team would play passionately.
Resolution passed against heinous act of desecrating the Holy Quran in Denmark
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mumtaz Zehra Baloch said Pakistan strongly condemned the desecration of the Quran in Denmark.This action was taken by anti-Muslim bigots who had done the same in Sweden a few days earlier. She said she regretted the repetition of this heinous act.Muslims are realizing that freedom of expression is being used to promote religious hatred and violence.Earlier on Friday, the Pakistani Senate unanimously passed resolutions condemning the heinous act of desecrating the Holy Quran in Sweden and the Netherlands.The Senate hatefully condemned this shameful case of Islamophobia and stipulated in UNGA Resolution 36/35 of 25 November 1981, Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,Article 18, the European Court of Human Rights and the European Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief. UNGA resolution 56/6 of 9 November 2001 on a global agenda for dialogue between civilizations,UNGA resolution 2005/40. United Nations Commission on Human Rights, etc.
Arooj Aftab becomes first Pakistani artist to perform at Grammy Awards
Arooj Aftab is the first Pakistani to win a Grammy Award and will be the first to perform at the awards ceremony. Her accomplishments continue to grow and we are extremely proud of her.The singer will perform her nominated song ‘Udhero Na’ at the Grammys premiere ceremonyon Feb 5.On Friday,she announced on Instagram that she will be performing at the Grammys premiere ceremony before the Grammys main ceremony. Several prizes will also be announced at his premiere party. “I can’t wait for my Grammy-nominated jam ‘Udhero Na’ feat. Anoushka Shankar to play live with her for you guys at the Grammy Awards,” she wrote. She asked her followers to watch her live on February 5 at 12:30 p.m. PT at (live.grammy.com) and the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel.Anoushka Shankar who was a lead in Arooj’s song wrote,”Let’s do this,” while top designer HSY called it “great” and Tala Mahmoud said “it’s a good news”. Richa Moorjani of “Never Have I Ever” and American singer Jessica Betts also commented on her post. Pop superstar ‘Beyoncé’ leads the field of Grammy-nominated musicians as she takes on the likes of Adele,Harry Styles, and more to win the grand prize for Album of the Year. The “Alien Superstar” singer earned her nine nominations as music’s highest honor. That took her career to 88 and made her, along with husband Jay-Z, the most nominated artist in Grammy history.”Bad Bunny,Mary J. Blige, Brandi Carlisle,Luke Combs,Steve Lacy,Lizzo,Kim Petras and Sam Smith” will also perform at this year’s Grammy Awards.This year Aftab’s ‘Udhero Na’ was nominated for her Best Global Music Performance category. “Matt B and Eddy Kenzo’s ‘Gimme Love’, Burna Boy’s ‘Last Last’,Rocky Dawuni and Blvk H3ro’s ‘Neva Bow Down’, Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini and Nomcebo Zikode’s ‘Bayethe’ were nominated in the same category.
Sania bids farewell to Grand Slam career
Indian pioneer Sania Mirza retired from Grand Slam tennis on Friday after losing alongside Rohan Bopanna in the mixed doubles final at the Australian Open. Considered one of her country’s top tennis players,Sania Mirza,who is 36 years old,returned to her park in Melbourne for her final cheer and reached the final.But she and her 42-year-old Bopanna failed to cross the line as she lost 7-6 (7/2) 6-2 to Brazilian duo Luis Stefani and Rafael Matos.Mirza broke down in tears at the post-match awards ceremony.She said” these are tears of joy and I am happy that I came a log way”.Talking about her tennis partner Rohan,she said” he was my first mixed doubles partner when I was 14 and we won the national team.“After 22 years, I couldn’t think of a better person to end my career here and play in the final. He is my best friend and one of my best partners. There is no better place for me or for anyone else to finish a career at a Grand Slam.” Mirza, who is married to former Pakistani team captain Shoaib Malik, has a young son “Izhaan”. It was incredible to play in front of him in the Grand Final.I never thought I would be able to play in front of my own kids in the final,so it’s really special to have him here and my parents too.Known for her ardent convention-breakers,Mirza became the first Indian woman to win her WTA singles title in her hometown of Hyderabad in 2005.She reached the fourth round at the US Open that same year,and in 2007 she was among the top 30 women.However, her wrist injury forced her to focus on doubles,and she partnered Swiss great Martina Hingis,who produced three Grand Slam titles for her.Sania has planned to retire from tennis because she think her body is not having that capacity to play like fire and also she wanted to take care of her child with full time and attention.
Babar Azam is named ICC Men’s ODI Cricket Player of the Year for the second consecutive year
Pakistani cricket captain Babar Azam is named Men’s ODI Player of the Year for the second year in a row by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday for his “match-winning stroke and attractive batting”. The ICC noted that in the past year, Azam has only accumulated 679 runs from his nine ODIs, scoring an average of 84.87 in three centuries and his five half centuries. He also maintained his lead as the number one hitter in his ICC-ODI Men’s Player Rankings, which he has held since July 2021.The ICC also praised Skipper for his role as Pakistan’s captain, “leading the team in style with only one loss in the season” against Australia in Lahore.Cricket statistician Mazhar Arshad commented on Azam’s performance: “He is truly an ODI great”.