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Waqas Dar

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  1. Waqas Dar
    Update [4:10 AM PST]: Almost 50 ambulances are currently present at the site.
    Update [4:02 AM PST]: Greater Manchester Police says "there are a number of confirmed fatalities".
    Update [3:35 AM PST]: Ariana Grande is safe, reports say.
    Update [3:32 AM PST]: The area around Manchester Arena has been cordoned off, with security authorities asking people to "stay away" from the area. Ambulances and emergency teams rushing to the site.

    Update [3:31 AM PST]: Some people on social media say the blast may be a balloon at the venue.
    Update [3:30 AM PST]: Unconfirmed reports indicate a man has been apprehended while trying to escape during the stampede, Geo News reported.

    Update [3:25 AM PST]: Services at the Victoria Park Railway Station have been suspended following the incident.

    Initial report [3:20 AM PST]: Reports of a blast at Manchester Arena, UK, surfaced late Monday night, with Greater Manchester Police confirming "an incident".
    American singer Ariana Grande was performing at Manchester Arena, a venue in the northern English city.
    Police have issued a warning to "stay away from the area", following two blasts that led to a stampede, with almost 15,000-20,000 attendees trying to escape.
    An unconfirmed number of people have been injured, sources revealed. Most of the locality has residential apartments and student hostels.
    People present at the event included those who had come in from other parts of Europe.
    ?Additional reporting by Tanveer Khatana; editing by Haseem uz Zaman


  2. Waqas Dar
    Donald Trump announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination at Trump Tower in New York, June 16, 2015. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid  JERUSALEM: A scandal-plagued Israeli MP stole a selfie with US President Donald Trump on Monday, setting off a flood of online humour and seeming to annoy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
    Oren Hazan was not supposed to approach Trump during the welcoming ceremony at Tel Aviv airport, but managed to "get in" to the line of dignitaries, a foreign ministry spokesman said without elaborating.
    As Trump passed, the never-shy Hazan whipped out his cell phone and suggested a selfie to Trump, television footage showed. After a bewildered look, Trump agreed, although Netanyahu tried to prevent it by gently pushing Hazan's arm.


    Within a few hours, the selfie had over 17,000 "likes" on Hazan's Facebook page.

    But it also attracted the anger of some internet users, especially in the right-wing Likud party, of which Hazan and Netanyahu are both members.
    "We have to get Oren Hazan out of parliament, and the sooner the better," said Benjamin Lachkar, a member of Likud's central committee, on Facebook.
    Other Internet users hijacked the photo, adding speech bubbles joking about the US president's pride of having a selfie with Hazan.
    Hazan was suspended in 2015 from his position as deputy speaker of Israel's parliament after a televised report accusing him of involvement in drugs and being a souteneur. He was also suspended for one month from any parliamentary activity in December 2015 after "insulting" behaviour towards a colleague with a disability.
    Asked about his exchange with the US president, Hazan told media that he was often referred to as the "Israeli Trump".
    "It was for me ? and I think for him also ? a historic moment," he added.


  3. Waqas Dar
    Image courtesy: Beautiful Country? Twitter account (@beauticountry) A 4-by-4 feet sinkhole has formed right outside Mar-a-Lago, the famous Palm Beach, Florida resort that US President Donald Trump is known to frequent.
    Although the sinkhole has not caused any major traffic delays, the lane in which it appeared has been closed for the relevant authorities to analyse and fix.
    Palm Beach town, in a notification issued earlier today, said the sinkhole is "in the vicinity of the newly-installed water main. West Palm Beach Utilities distribution crews have secured the area and will most likely need to do some exploratory excavation today".
    The alert also advised motorists to be cautious of the signs, as "one lane is closed but the road remains open."
    Calling the sinkhole "relatively small - compared to others [...] seen throughout the state," WBALTV's Sanika Dange, who was on the scene, said that "traffic is being redirected to the turn lane and then crossover".
    Mar-a-Lago is unofficially called the Winter White House and White House 2.0 due to Trump's regular visits to the estate and hosting foreign leaders, such as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
    Not letting any opportunity go to waste, Twitterati, on the other hand, found humour in this situation as well.
    But I guess this one wins!




  4. Waqas Dar
    NEW DELHI: The Indian army has honoured its officers who had tied a Kashmiri man in front of a jeep as a human shield during a protest, according to Indian media reports.

    Ironically, Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi of 53 Rashtriya Rifles was awarded commendation for sustained efforts in counter-insurgency operations by Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat during his recent visit to occupied Kashmir.
    Street protests flared in recent weeks as thousands of Kashmiris vented anger against abuses by Indian forces after the video emerged of the incident.
    Meanwhile, Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal has also triggered a storm on social media with his outrageous remarks that renowned Indian writer and human rights activist Arundati Roy should be tied to an army jeep.
    Rawal, a ruling party lawmaker, tweeted ?"Instead of tying stone pelter on the army jeep tie up Arundhati Roy!"
    Arundhati Roy is known for her has been a vocal critic of the army's role in occupied Kashmir.


  5. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Monday said no compromise would be made towards anything that affects the image of the country or violates laws of the land.

    A high-powered delegation comprising of senior officer bearers of Pakistan Broadcasters Association called on Interior Minister on Monday, said a press release issued here.
    The delegation was headed by Chairman PBA, Mian Aamer Mehmood and comprised Sultan Lakhani, Mir Ibrahim Rahman, Shakeel Masud Hussain and Tahir A. Khan.
    Matter related to the media industry, the role of media towards safeguarding national and security interests, issues of national importance and the Axact case also came under discussion during the meeting.
    Talking to the delegation, the minister reiterated his call that media must play its role and utilise its immense power to further national interests, safeguard our social and religious values and prove itself as a bulwark against the tide of extremism, fanaticism and the mayhem which is often created in the name of freedom of expression.
    Appreciating the important role that media has played especially towards rejection of terrorist narrative and promoting unity and oneness of the nation in the fight against militancy, the Minister said that he is holding a meeting with all representative bodies of media including APNS, CPNE and PBA tomorrow for evolving a consensus policy to safeguard national security interests of Pakistan.
    The delegation also raised its concerns regarding the progress into the exact scandal and some media channels being funded through dubious, untaxed and unverified money from abroad.
    The Minister said that efforts are underway to ensure that independent media progress and prospers in an open and transparent manner and the government should make every effort to support and facilitate the progress of an independent media that serves as the strength not only of the nation but also of democracy and rule of law in the country.
    Speaking about national narrative against extremism and militant mindset, the Interior Minister observed that a national narrative has been prepared to counter extremism and urged the media to play its role towards projecting our national narrative.
    He said that he is looking forward to his meeting with media organisations tomorrow in order to have an open and frank discussion on all relevant issues in order to have optimum conducive working environment for independent media to flourish and prosper.


  6. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Monday said no comprise would be made towards anything that affects the image of the country or violates laws of the land.

    A high-powered delegation comprising of senior officer bearers of Pakistan Broadcasters Association called on Interior Minister on Monday, said a press release issued here.
    The delegation was headed by Chairman PBA, Mian Aamer Mehmood and comprised Sultan Lakhani, Mir Ibrahim Rahman, Shakeel Masud Hussain and Tahir A. Khan.
    Matter related to the media industry, the role of media towards safeguarding national and security interests, issues of national importance and the Axact case also came under discussion during the meeting.
    Talking to the delegation, the minister reiterated his call that media must play its role and utilise its immense power to further national interests, safeguard our social and religious values and prove itself as a bulwark against the tide of extremism, fanaticism and the mayhem which is often created in the name of freedom of expression.
    Appreciating the important role that media has played especially towards rejection of terrorist narrative and promoting unity and oneness of the nation in the fight against militancy, the Minister said that he is holding a meeting with all representative bodies of media including APNS, CPNE and PBA tomorrow for evolving a consensus policy to safeguard national security interests of Pakistan.
    The delegation also raised its concerns regarding the progress into the exact scandal and some media channels being funded through dubious, untaxed and unverified money from abroad.
    The Minister said that efforts are underway to ensure that independent media progress and prospers in an open and transparent manner and the government should make every effort to support and facilitate the progress of an independent media that serves as the strength not only of the nation but also of democracy and rule of law in the country.
    Speaking about national narrative against extremism and militant mindset, the Interior Minister observed that a national narrative has been prepared to counter extremism and urged the media to play its role towards projecting our national narrative.
    He said that he is looking forward to his meeting with media organisations tomorrow in order to have an open and frank discussion on all relevant issues in order to have optimum conducive working environment for independent media to flourish and prosper.


  7. Waqas Dar
    Batate hain Shadiyun ky Chohvare Dagar Dagar
    بٹتے ہیں شادیوں کے چھوہارے دگڑ دگڑ
     کرتے ہیں شہر بھر کے کنوارے دگڑ دگڑ
    برسوں کا فاصلہ ہے ، اِسے طے کرو گے کیا
     یوں دوڑتے ہیں گھوڑے تمھارے دگڑ دگڑ
    ویسے ہی دندناتے ہیں اُس کی گلی میں ہم
     جیسے چلے "گرائیں" ہزارے دگڑ دگڑ
    پیچھے لگایا جب بھی سگِ کوئے یار کو
     میرا رقیب دڑکیاں مارے دگڑ دگڑ
    غیروں کی ہو گئی ہے تو پھر کس لئے خدا
     اُس کو مری گلی سے گزارے دگڑ دگڑ
    جھٹکے ہمارے بخت کو لگتے ہیں بے طرح
     کرتے ہیں آسماں پہ ستارے دگڑ دگڑ
    لیڈر تمام بحرِ کرپشن میں غوطہ زن
     اور ہم بھی ہیں کنارے کنارے دگڑ دگڑ
    کوئی نہیں ہے دل کا خریدار واقعی
     سارے ہی آ رہے ہیں اُدھارے دگڑ دگڑ
    عشاق کی ہو دشت میں ہاؤسنگ سوسائٹی
     پھرتے ہیں شہر میں کیوں بچارے دگڑ دگڑ
    لو نیویں نیویں ہو کے چلے بزم سے عدو
     کچھ تو بھی اپنی چال دکھا رے دگڑ دگڑ
    رکھتے نہیں ہیں ہاتھ بریکوں پہ زینہار
     لکھتے ہیں شعر نغزگو سارے دگڑ دگڑ
    نویدظفرکیانی
     
  8. Waqas Dar
    KARACHI: In the month of blessings, Geo News brings its viewers a game show with none other than their all-time favourite cricket personalities, Wasim Akram aka Swing of Sultan and Shoaib Akhtar, Rawalpindi Express.

    The game show?s trailer depicts Wasim and Shoaib Akhtar in humorous roles not only to entertain the audience but to help them win big.
    Also read: Wasim Bhai, Rawalpindi Express making waves as Geo Khelo Pakistan`s teaser is out!!

    Former speed star Akhtar had earlier shared a teaser of a Geo News show showing him along with former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram.
    The teaser has gone viral in the Pakistani cyberspace ? with anticipation running high on what the star-duo is up to.


    Now that the wait is over, don't lose the opportunity and get lucky to win big prizes!









  9. Waqas Dar
    LONDON: A diamond ring bought for next to nothing in a London junk sale is expected to fetch £350,000 ($455,000, 450,000 euros), Sotheby?s auction house said Monday.

    The owner bought the 26-carat, cushion-shaped, white diamond ring for £10 in the 1980s and wore it while doing shopping and chores, thinking it was costume jewellery, Sotheby?s said.
    "The owner would wear it out shopping, wear it day-to-day. It?s a good-looking ring," said Jessica Wyndham, head of Sotheby?s London jewellery department.
    "No-one had any idea it had any intrinsic value at all.
    "The majority of us can?t even begin to dream of owning a diamond that large."
    $60 million ´Pink Star´ diamond to be auctioned by Sotheby´s
    59.60-carat mixed cut diamond known as
    Sierra Leone pastor discovers 706-carat diamond
    The stone is being stored in the country's central bank








    The diamond is thought to have been cut in the 19th century, when the style was to cut to conserve the weight rather than to make it as sparkly as possible, hence its relatively dull brilliance.
    "It could trick people into thinking it?s not a genuine stone," said Wyndham.
    She said the owner, who does not want to be named, brought the ring in after a jeweller told them it could be worth something.
    She said the owner was "incredibly excited. Anyone would be in this position: it?s a life-changing amount of money.
    "This is a one-off windfall, an amazing find."
    The ring will be auctioned on July 7.


  10. Waqas Dar
    KARACHI: Residents of Karachi once again faced prolonged power outage and unannounced load-shedding in different parts of the city on Monday.
    According to reports, K-Electric has stated that due to electric shortfall the extended load-shedding will continue for two-three days. The areas affected by power breakdown includes Gulshan-e-Iqbal, FB Area, Airport, Shah Faisal Colony.

    Earlier, on May 17, around one-third of the metropolis was devoid of electricity on the night of Tuesday-Wednesday as more than 11 grid stations stopped working after a transmission line tripped at Hub.
    According to reports, a number of localities, mostly in District Central, did not have power for several hours while some are still without electricity. The most affected areas were reported to be Malir Halt, Rifa-e-Aam, Alfalah Society, Gulshan-e-Rafi, Saudagaran Society, Shah Faisal Town, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Liaquatabad and Model Colony.
    According to K-Electric spokespersons, electricity has been restored in most of the affected areas in the city.
    Some days ago, the city had again experienced load-shedding and power breakdowns after K-Electric ? the city's sole power utility ? said low gas pressure and other issues at the Bin Qasim power plant affected supply.
    On April 2, the metropolis faced the same issue as power cuts in different areas left many people without electricity bringing daily activities to a standstill.
    The blackout occurred in Defence Housing Authority's phases I, II and VII along with II Chundrigar Road and Burnes Road. The residents of Saddar and Sultanabad also said that they were experiencing power cuts.



    Moreover, FC Area, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, Karimabad, Moosa Colony, Malir, Korangi, New Karachi, FB Area also experienced blackouts. According to K-Electric, the issue occurred after a technical fault affected grid stations in different areas of the port city.


  11. Waqas Dar
    JERUSALEM: US President Donald Trump said in Israel on Monday he came away from a weekend visit to Saudi Arabia with new reasons for hope that peace and stability could be achieved in the Middle East.
    On the second leg of his first overseas trip since entering the office, Trump is to hold talks separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a stopover lasting 28 hours.
    Later on Monday, the US leader will pray at Judaism's Western Wall and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and on Tuesday he will travel to Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.
    Netanyahu and his wife Sara, as well as President Reuven Rivlin and members of the Israeli cabinet, were at Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion airport to greet Trump and first lady Melania in a red carpet ceremony after what is believed to have been the first direct flight from Riyadh to Israel.
    "During my travels in recent days, I have found new reasons for hope," Trump said in a brief speech on arrival.
    "We have before us a rare opportunity to bring security and stability and peace to this region and its people, defeating terrorism and creating a future of harmony, prosperity and peace, but we can only get there working together. There is no other way," he said.
    Trump's tour comes in the shadow of difficulties at home, where he is struggling to contain a scandal after firing James Comey as FBI director nearly two weeks ago. The trip ends on Saturday after visits to the Vatican, Brussels and Sicily.
    During his two days in Riyadh, Trump received a warm welcome from Arab leaders, who focused on his desire to restrain Iran's influence in the region, a commitment they found wanting in the Republican President?s Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama.
    "What's happened with Iran has brought many of the parts of the Middle East toward Israel," Trump said in public remarks at a meeting in Jerusalem with Rivlin.
    "And you could say that's one of the - if there's a benefit, that would be the benefit. Because I've seen such a different feeling toward Israel from countries that as you know were not feeling so well about Israel not so long ago. And it's brought a lot of folks together," Trump said.
    "ULTIMATE DEAL"
    Earlier at the airport, Netanyahu said Israel shared Trump's commitment to peace - but he also repeated his right-wing government's political and security demands of the Palestinians, including recognition of Israel as a Jewish state.
    "May your first trip to our region prove to be a historic milestone on the path toward reconciliation and peace," Netanyahu said.
    Trump used his visit to Riyadh to bolster U.S. ties with Arab and Islamic nations, announce $110 billion in US arms sales to Saudi Arabia, and send Iran a tough message.
    Trump has vowed to do whatever is necessary to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians -- something he has called "the ultimate deal" -- but has given little indication of how he could revive negotiations that collapsed in 2014.
    US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters en route to Tel Aviv that any three-way meeting between Trump, Netanyahu and Abbas was for "a later date".
    When Trump met Abbas this month in Washington, he stopped shortly of explicitly recommitting his administration to a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict, a long-standing foundation of U.S. policy. He has since spoken in support of Palestinian "self-determination".
    Trump has also opted against an immediate move of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a longtime demand of Israel.
    A senior administration official told Reuters last week that Trump remained committed to his campaign pledge to ultimately relocate the embassy, but would not announce such a move during this trip.
    On Sunday, Israel authorised some economic concessions to the Palestinians that it said would improve civilian life in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority and were intended to respond to Trump's request for "confidence-building steps".
    The United States welcomed the move but the Palestinians said they had heard such promises before.
    Trump will have visited significant centres of Islam, Judaism and Christianity by the end of his trip, a point that his aides say bolsters his argument that the fight against Islamist militancy is a battle between "good and evil".


  12. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Monday expressed reservations over the proceedings of the Joint Investigation Team on Panama Leaks case.
    Speaking to journalists on Monday Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz leader Talal Chaudhry said that the Prime Minister will exercise all his rights which he voluntarily withdrew from the Supreme Court's proceedings.

    He added that the government has conveyed its reservations in the Supreme Court but will not like to talk about it in the public.

    ?We hold the right to exercise the constitutional rights which are given to every Pakistani citizen. We hope that the Supreme Court's JIT will not apply different laws for Nawaz Sharif. We didn?t take immunity before neither now,? adding, ?Hasan and Husain Nawaz should be given the rights which are enjoyed by any non-residential Pakistani.?
    Supreme Court satisfied with JIT's progress in Panama case
    Special three-member bench reviewed JIT's findings; rejects PTI's plea to make them public
    Panama Leaks: JIT to take services of British audit firm
    The JIT decided that only verified documents will be used in its probe








    The Supreme Court bench formed to implement the Panama case verdict has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing the case.
    The JIT on Monday presented its first interim report which comprises its findings of the first 15-days of its investigation. It is expected to complete its investigation in a total of 60 days.

    [embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/7fdfcf500bfb210b39f2d74de59c6866.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9NS8yMi8yMDE3IDI6NDg6MTUgUE0maGFzaF92YWx1ZT0rVVphNllZUkpNSHY0c1YvVzQ5YU9BPT0mdmFsaWRtaW51dGVzPTYwJmlkPTE= style=center] The bench, headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, comprises Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijaz-ul-Hassan.

    Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Additional Director-General Wajid Zia, who is heading the JIT, submitted the report to the bench. Other JIT members were also present at the proceedings.
    After examining the documents submitted by the JIT, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan directed the investigators to ensure their task is completed in a transparent manner no later than 60 days ? as prescribed in the April 20 Panama case judgment.
    Justice Shiekh Azmat Saeed expressed satisfaction with the direction and progress of the probe, saying in case there is an unwillingness to share information from any official, the court should be informed so corrective action may be ordered.


  13. Waqas Dar
    RAWALPINDI: US Ambassador David Hale met with Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa on Monday, a US embassy press release said.
    According to the press release, the US ambassador lauded the Army Chief?s May 18 statement regarding Afghanistan.
    The COAS had mentioned measures ensuring that the Pakistani soil would not be used against anyone.
    During the meeting, the hope for a stable and safe Afghanistan was expressed by both the sides.
    The Army Chief had reiterated that Pakistan would not let its soil be used against its neighbouring country, Afghanistan.
    Italian COAS calls on Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa
    The delegation was given a detailed briefing on operational and training activities of the Pakistan Army
    According to the US embassy in Pakistan: ?Ambassador Hale noted President Donald Trump?s call during his speech at the Arab-Islamic-American Summit for a vision of peace, security, and prosperity, and unity in conquering extremism and terrorism.?
    Ambassador Hale acknowledged Pakistan?s role and great sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.


  14. Waqas Dar
    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan criticised the prime minister?s ?silence? during the recent Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh.

    Talking to the media on Monday, he said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should have commented on US President Donald Trump?s speech wherein he accused Iran of fuelling ?the fires of sectarian conflict and terror? and called for its international isolation.
    Also read: Trump's speech in Riyadh
    PTI chief Imran Khan talking to media on Monday - Geo News screen grab  When the Parliament had decided through a unanimous resolution that it would not become party in any conflict in the Middle East, why did Nawaz not clarify his country?s position in front of the world, asked the opposition leader. ?It is not in Pakistan?s interest to become part of others? conflicts,? he commented.
    ?PM Nawaz was a silent spectator during the summit,? said Imran.
    The PTI Chief said that Pakistan being a major Muslim country should have played the role of a mediator in the conflict between Iran and the Kingdom.
    He said there is a general consensus that Pakistan is a foreign policy disaster, adding that with the premier holding the additional portfolio as of the foreign minister as well, with such a poor foreign policy he should resign as the foreign minister at least.
    ?[Nawaz] should have talked about the plight of Kashmiris and Palestinians?instead he wasn?t even allowed to speak despite working on a speech for hours,? claimed Imran.
    When asked to comment on the army?s version regarding its former chief Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif heading the Saudi-led Islamic military coalition, Imran said during his meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa, he was told ?Raheel?s role [in the coalition] will be to curtail conflict in Muslim world.?
    Talking about the Supreme Court?s proceedings regarding the Panama case earlier in the day, the PTI chief said nowhere in the world does an elected prime minister facing a criminal investigation continue to hold office and represent the country abroad.
    Commenting on the federal government?s ongoing crackdown against social media activists ?some of them belonging to the PTI ?he said the government is ?shutting down democracy.? Responding to reports that the suspects being detained by the Federal Investigation Agency are involved in posting anti-army content on social media, he said ?it is the federal government which is anti-army, as the Dawn Leaks issue proved, and not the social media activists.?
    When asked about the party?s preparations for the upcoming elections, he said they are working hard to ensure the next general elections have ?neutral umpires?. ?[Asif] Zardari also now terms the last polls as ?RO elections? but when we were out protesting [against polls rigging] he sided with Nawaz,? lamented Imran, saying all political parties should first agree on all electoral procedures and then take part in the polls.
    Earlier, before entering the Supreme Court for the Panama hearing, Imran lamented that the prime minister was not given a chance to speak during the Riyadh summit.
    "The world does not respect those who do not respect themselves," he said. 


  15. Waqas Dar
    RAWALPINDI: US Ambassador David Hale met with Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa on Monday, said the Inter-Services Intelligence Agency.

    The Pakistan Army?s media cell said that the US ambassador lauded the Army Chief?s May 18 statement regarding Afghanistan.
    The COAS had mentioned measures ensuring that the Pakistani soil would not be used against anyone, said the ISPR.
    During the meeting, the hope for a stable and safe Afghanistan was expressed by both the sides.
    The Army Chief had reiterated that Pakistan would not let its soil be used against its neighbouring country, Afghanistan.

    Italian COAS calls on Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa
    The delegation was given a detailed briefing on operational and training activities of the Pakistan Army
    According to the US embassy in Pakistan: ?Ambassador Hale noted President Donald Trump?s call during his speech at the Arab-Islamic-American Summit for a vision of peace, security, and prosperity, and unity in conquering extremism and terrorism.?
    The embassy?s website said that Ambassador Hale acknowledged Pakistan?s role and great sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.


  16. Waqas Dar
    Growth in augmented reality is being fueled by Snapchat Lenses, Facebook Stories, and Instagram Stories, reveals a report. Photo: Reuters/file  WASHINGTON: Augmented reality is seeing strong gains among Americans thanks to social networks like Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook, a market research firm said Monday.
    A new report by eMarketer said some 40 million Americans will engage with augmented reality monthly in 2017, up 30 percent over last year.
    Virtual reality is also growing, but at a slower pace, according to the researchers.
    The report said growth in augmented reality is being fueled by Snapchat Lenses, Facebook Stories, and Instagram Stories, while virtual reality usage is driven by 360-degree videos on social networks.
    "Users of Snapchat Lenses comprise the vast majority of our AR estimates," said eMarketer forecasting analyst Chris Bendtsen.
    Lenses is the system enabling users to add special effects to video messages sent over Snapchat.
    "Snapchat growth will continue to contribute to AR users in the future, but in the next several years eMarketer also expects Facebook and Instagram Stories to be significant growth drivers of AR usage," Bendtsen added.
    Instagram, Snapchat worst for mental health of young people: study
    YouTube was the social media platform found to have the most positive impact on young minds
    Facebook Stories and Instagram Stories offer "filters" which allow users to add special effects to photos and videos, a feature widely seen as copying Snapchat´s augmented reality offerings.
    Augmented reality gadgetry overlays holograms on the real world in view, while virtual reality devices such as those from Facebook-owned Oculus and Sony´s PlayStation unit immerse users in fantasy worlds, often for gaming.
    The research firm said that by 2019, the number of augmented reality users is expected to top 54.4 million, or nearly one in five internet users.
    Virtual reality, meanwhile, has been slower to catch on and will not reach mass adoption in the US in the foreseeable future, according to eMarketer.

    Snapchat launches new Bitmoji widgets
    Your favourite Snap users are now just a click away
    The group said 22.4 million people in the US will use some form of virtual reality monthly in 2017, double the number from 2016.
    The category is being driven mainly by 360-degree photos and videos on Facebook and YouTube.
    The gaming industry is driving the growth of virtual reality headset usage, according to eMarketer, which said around 2.9 percent of the US population will use a VR headset this year, a figure expected to grow to 5.2 percent by 2019.


  17. Waqas Dar
    White House senior advisor Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump arrive at the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology shortly before its inauguration in Riyadh on May 21, 2017 - AFF  RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have pledged $100 million to a women's business fund supported by Ivanka Trump, daughter of the president who Monday wound up a visit to Riyadh.
    World Bank president Jim Yong Kim announced the donation from both oil-rich Gulf states on Sunday, during a meeting between Ivanka Trump and a group of Saudi women, a member of the US delegation said.
    The idea of a fund providing microfinance to women in underdeveloped countries was floated by President Donald Trump´s daughter and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a conference in Berlin last month.
    Kim said the donation along with other pledges from the United States and other countries will allow the World Bank to announce the creation of a $1-billion fund for women empowerment during the G-20 summit in July.
    "This is really a stunning achievement. I´ve never seen anything come together so quickly," he commented, according to the source.
    The US president flew to Israel on Monday after a two-day stay in Saudi Arabia, which he chose for his first foreign trip since taking office in January.


  18. Waqas Dar
    Deepika Padukone (Left) and Vishal Bhardwaj (Right). Photo: file  Bollywood?s diva Deepika Padukone, who has managed to conquer international audiences with her talent, is still riding high from the success.
    The news that the star has signed a Vishal Bhardwaj movie opposite Irrfan Khan made headlines recently.
    The movie is based on journalist Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai. 
    Speaking about the project, she remarked "I haven?t worked with him [Vishal] yet so I can?t talk much. But as an audience, I can say it is fascinating to see the kind of films he does. As an actor, I would love to work with him. It will be extremely challenging and very exciting to be working with him,? according to Indian media.
    The untitled film is being directed by Abhishek Chaubey and is produced by Bhardwaj, Prerna Arora and Arjun N Kapoor.
    Deepika is expected to portray Mafia Queen Rahima Khan in the movie.
    Stunning Deepika Padukone rules Cannes red carpet
    Hold your breath before you witness the ultimate beauty of Bollywood diva Deepika Padukone at Cannes film festival.
    Deepika Padukone wants to have lots of babies before she dies
    Deepika recently attended Rajeev Masand?s show in which she was asked what would she like to do before she dies








    Irrfan also spoke about the project during promotions for Hindi Medium. He had said, ?I will be able to talk only when it is finalised. Apart from that, I had a great time working with Deepika Padukone and I am always waiting for a chance to work with her again. I haven't had a better experience with a co-star than with Deepika. It was the happiest time I have had."


    The actress also made a grand entry to the Cannes Film Festival. While her looks received a mixed reaction from her fans and fashion police, we were absolutely blown away by the beauty.


  19. Waqas Dar
    A journalist, identified as Taha Shakeel Siddiqui, filed on Monday a petition before the Islamabad High Court over alleged harassment by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

    Taha Siddiqui, Journalist Siddiqui, who is currently working as the Pakistan correspondent for France 24 and as Bureau Chief, Pakistan, for TV channel WION, has filed the petition under Article 199 of the Constitution.
    The petition states that Siddiqui received a phone call from a man named Noman Bodla on May 18. Bodla demanded that Taha appears before him at the FIA Headquarters for an interrogation, the details of which were not revealed to him.
    Taha told Bodla that his work was available to the public and he is willing to answer all questions over the phone as he was a little reluctant to go to the FIA Headquarters.
    Since the phone call, Siddiqui who won the acclaimed Albert Londres journalism prize in 2014, claimed in his petition that he has noticed plain-clothed persons pointing at his house.
    ?It is inconceivable that the Counter-Terrorism Department of the FIA should be calling up a journalist who has nothing to do with terrorism and is a person of the pen,? the petition stated.
    In his petition, Siddiqui has named the Interior Ministry, Director General Federal Investigation Agency, Islamabad, and Noman Bodla Deputy Director Counter Terrorism Department.
    The petition would be heard in the court of Justice Aamer Farooq Tuesday morning.  


  20. Waqas Dar
    US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive aboard Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel - Reuters TEL AVIV: US President Donald Trump spoke of a "rare opportunity" to bring stability to the region as he landed in Israel on Monday to seek ways to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.
    Trump also hailed the "unbreakable bond" between the United States and Israel as he spoke at a brief ceremony at the airport in Tel Aviv after landing.
    "On my first trip overseas as president, I have come to this sacred and ancient land to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between the United States and the state of Israel," Trump said.
    He said later: "We have before us a rare opportunity to bring security and stability and peace to this region and to its people, defeating terrorism and creating a future of harmony, prosperity and peace. But we can only get there working together. There is no other way."
    Trump will hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later in the day and travel to the occupied West Bank on Tuesday to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.
    Over two days, Trump is to meet separately with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and visit holy sites. On Monday in Jerusalem, he will pray at the Western Wall and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

    On his maiden foreign tour since taking office in January, Trump is already showing signs of fatigue from a packed schedule. He is on a nine-day trip through the Middle East and Europe that ends on Saturday after visits to the Vatican, Brussels and Sicily.
    During a speech in Riyadh on Sunday, he urged Arab and Islamic leaders to do their share to defeat terrorism and extremism.
    On Sunday night in Riyadh after a long day of events, many of them delayed, he skipped a "tweeps" forum for young people that was to be his last activity of the day, sending daughter Ivanka in his place.
    Over the weekend, Trump received a warm welcome from Arab leaders, who focused on his desire to crack down on Iran's influence in the region, a commitment they found wanting in the Republican president's Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama.
    The reception marked a contrast from his difficulties at home where he is struggling to contain a mushrooming scandal after his firing of former FBI Director James Comey nearly two weeks ago.

    Long-stalled peace talks
    Trump has vowed to do whatever is necessary to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians but has given little sign of how he could revive long-stalled negotiations.
    When he met Abbas earlier this month in Washington, he stopped shortly of explicitly recommitting his administration to a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict, a long-standing foundation of US policy. Some Palestinians said they were disappointed by the omission.
    US, Saudi agree arms deals worth almost $110 billion: White House
    National oil firm Saudi Aramco said it signed $50 billion of agreements with US firms
    Trump has also opted against an immediate move of the US Embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a longtime demand of Israel.
    A senior administration official told Reuters last week that Trump remained committed to his campaign pledge to ultimately relocate the embassy but did not plan to announce such a move while on his trip.
    "We're having very good discussions with all parties and as long as we see that happening, then we don?t intend to do anything that we think could upset those discussions," the official said.
    On Sunday, Israel authorized some economic concessions to the Palestinians that a Cabinet statement said "will ease daily civilian life in the Palestinian Authority after (Trump) who arrives tomorrow, asked to see some confidence building steps."
    Wielding swords, Trump, US officials sway to tunes of Arabian ardha dance
    Trump, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon waltzed in the Ardha dance ceremony with King Salman in the nation?s King Abdulaziz cultural centre
    In his speech attended by dozens of Arab and Islamic leaders, he toned down the harsh anti-Muslim rhetoric he had employed during the presidential campaign last year in favor of trying to gain cooperation against militancy.
    "A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and drive out the extremists. Drive them out," Trump said.
    Trump will have visited significant homes of three major religions by his trip's end, Islam, Judaism and Christianity, a point that his senior aides say is important in bolstering his argument that militancy is a battle between "good and evil."


  21. Waqas Dar
    US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive aboard Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel - Reuters JERUSALEM: After an exhausting two days in Saudi Arabia, US President Donald Trump touched down in Israel on Monday, attempting to revive the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process with visits to Jerusalem and the West Bank.

    Over two days, Trump is to meet separately with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and visit holy sites. On Monday in Jerusalem, he will pray at the Western Wall and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
    On his maiden foreign tour since taking office in January, Trump is already showing signs of fatigue from a packed schedule. He is on a nine-day trip through the Middle East and Europe that ends on Saturday after visits to the Vatican, Brussels and Sicily.
    During a speech in Riyadh on Sunday, he urged Arab and Islamic leaders to do their share to defeat terrorism and extremism.
    On Sunday night in Riyadh after a long day of events, many of them delayed, he skipped a "tweeps" forum for young people that was to be his last activity of the day, sending daughter Ivanka in his place.
    Over the weekend, Trump received a warm welcome from Arab leaders, who focused on his desire to crack down on Iran's influence in the region, a commitment they found wanting in the Republican president's Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama.
    The reception marked a contrast from his difficulties at home where he is struggling to contain a mushrooming scandal after his firing of former FBI Director James Comey nearly two weeks ago.

    Long-stalled peace talks
    Trump has vowed to do whatever is necessary to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians, but has given little sign of how he could revive long-stalled negotiations.
    When he met Abbas earlier this month in Washington, he stopped shortly of explicitly recommitting his administration to a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict, a long-standing foundation of US policy. Some Palestinians said they were disappointed by the omission.
    US, Saudi agree arms deals worth almost $110 billion: White House
    National oil firm Saudi Aramco said it signed $50 billion of agreements with US firms
    Trump has also opted against an immediate move of the US Embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a longtime demand of Israel.
    A senior administration official told Reuters last week that Trump remained committed to his campaign pledge to ultimately relocate the embassy but did not plan to announce such a move while on his trip.
    "We're having very good discussions with all parties and as long as we see that happening, then we don?t intend to do anything that we think could upset those discussions," the official said.
    On Sunday, Israel authorized some economic concessions to the Palestinians that a Cabinet statement said "will ease daily civilian life in the Palestinian Authority after (Trump) who arrives tomorrow, asked to see some confidence building steps."
    Wielding swords, Trump, US officials sway to tunes of Arabian ardha dance
    Trump, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon waltzed in the Ardha dance ceremony with King Salman in the nation?s King Abdulaziz cultural centre
    In his speech attended by dozens of Arab and Islamic leaders, he toned down the harsh anti-Muslim rhetoric he had employed during the presidential campaign last year in favor of trying to gain cooperation against militancy.
    "A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and drive out the extremists. Drive them out," Trump said.
    Trump will have visited significant homes of three major religions by his trip's end, Islam, Judaism and Christianity, a point that his senior aides say is important in bolstering his argument that militancy is a battle between "good and evil."


  22. Waqas Dar
    Drake won 13 BMAs breaking Adele's record - AFP  LAS VEGAS: Drake proved his dominance of the music industry once again by winning a record 13 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night.

    The music magazine's televised gala in Las Vegas hands out awards based on the year´s chart performances, leaving little suspense about who will end the night well -- unlike the more prestigious Grammys, which are based on voting by music professionals.
    Drake -- the Toronto hip-hop star who has commanded the charts with a string of catchy hits including "One Dance," "Hotline Bling" and "Fake Love" -- edged out the record of the English balladeer Adele, who won 12 awards in 2012 in the wake of her breakthrough song "Someone Like You."
    Taking the stage, Drake offered an analogy that could have come from a vulgar Forrest Gump.
    "Life is like a roll of toilet paper. You´re either on a roll or taking..." he said, before his choice words were bleeped out on ABC television.
    With the low drama over who will win prizes, the Billboard gala instead offers musicians a wide television audience months after the US entertainment industry´s awards season.
    Cher -- presented with the Icon Award for lifetime achievement -- took to heart the title of her 1989 hit "If I Could Turn Back Time," singing it in a black fishnet suit and leather jacket as in the original video.

    The look came as a surprise to the crowd as Cher -- who turned 71 the day before -- had quickly changed after singing her hit "Believe," which she performed in a platinum wig, high heels and a skimpy dress of necklace-like loops that revealed her skin-baring bra.
    Cher thanked her late musical and romantic partner Sonny Bono in a speech, resisting the opportunity to talk politics, even though she is an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump.
    Nicki Minaj opened the show with a nearly 10-minute hit medley as she sported a bondage-inspired suit of spikes and cuffs, while Celine Dion marked the 20th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster "Titanic" by singing its theme "My Heart Will Go On."
    Miley Cyrus sang her new song "Malibu," a mid-tempo, jam-rock ballad about kindling love on the beach that marks a more mature sound for the former child star famous for her brazen sexuality.
    "For the first time with pants on in years!" her sister Noah Cyrus said as she introduced Miley, who came out in jean-shorts.


  23. Waqas Dar
    Arnold Schwarzenegger posing with a Terminator replica at the premiere of Terminator Genisys. Photo: Reuters/file  CANNES: Arnold Schwarzenegger has four Hummers and likes nothing better than getting up at 5am to ride his Harley Davidson to the beach for breakfast.
    Yet "The Terminator" star insists that should not stop him being an environmental evangelist.
    "Saving the planet is also about technology," the former California governor told AFP, putting his foot on a chair and wagging a skull-ringed finger to make his point.
    Three of his Hummers run on hydrogen, vegetable oil and bio-diesel and he´s hoping to put an electric engine into the fourth.
    "You know one day soon we are going to have hydrogen-fuelled planes. We can get rid of this dirty diesel tomorrow.
    "I hate it when environmentalism comes down to ´you can´t do this and you can´t do that´. There´s a bad habit of shaming, guilt and finger pointing. ´Don´t smoke this, don´t take a jacuzzi and don´t take a plane.´ Everything´s bad."
    Which is why Arnie is giving it an injection of his legendary pumped-up positive attitude.
    "We didn´t blame anyone" when Schwarzenegger the young bodybuilding Mr Universe was a pin-up of the "physical fitness movement 40 years ago", he said.
    Now on top of the global R20 network of regional leaders he has put together to fight climate change, Schwarzenegger the activist has got behind a new documentary at the Cannes film festival by the son of undersea explorer Jacques Cousteau which he also narrates.
    "Wonders of the Sea 3D" will make "people fall in love with the ocean", he declared. "And if they love it they will protect it," he said.
    ´We can do it!´
    "The oceans give us half the food we eat and half the oxygen we breathe and we better protect that. Seven million people die every year because of pollution."
    Even such apocalyptic statistics cannot survive long in the white heat of the Austrian-born star´s can-do charisma.
    "Look, we can do it, we can save the planet with people power and positive attitude.
    "If you want people to change you got to make them feel good about it.
    "I had a very clear vision as a kid of what I was going to do," he recalled.
    "I was going to be a bodybuilding champion, go to America and get into the movies. And I was going to make millions of dollars."
    It all came true, and then some.
    "But I never thought I would have the biggest movie of the year with ´Terminator 2´, and that I would be doing comedy or politics."
    Nor has the march of time dimmed his optimism.
    Asked about turning 70 in July, Schwarzenegger joked, "Are you asking because you want to send me a birthday gift? I like Montecristos (cigars), No. 2s."
    Schwarzenegger looks a good two decades younger, and says his secret is that he "works out every day and I really love my life.
    "One month I make a movie, fly to South Africa for a bodybuilding conference, pump up some students and get my eighth honorary degree.


  24. Waqas Dar
    Shehbaz Sharif addressing inaugural session of two-day business conference in Lahore. Photo: courtesy Twitter/Government of Pakistan LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif remarked on Monday that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is being praised all across the globe.
    He was speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day business conference, titled ?International Seminar on Business Opportunities in Punjab?, in Lahore.
    ?God has given us a gift in the shape of CPEC,? he said, adding ?We should take full advantage of this.?
    "CPEC is one of the first fruits of belt and road. Pakistan is the first beneficiary of this wonderful vision."
    He further remarked, ?Our friends are happy and our enemies are tense.? CPEC project is more transparent than any other project. The work on energy projects under CPEC in currently under way, he added.
    Shehbaz directs to expedite combing operations in Punjab
    Officials also present initial report of the DHA Lahore blast to the CM, which claimed eight lives and wounded 30 others on Thursday
    52 countries want to be part of CPEC: PM
    The prime minister spoke informally to media in Gwadar, where he arrived today










    Despite having resources, no one has used coal in the last 70 years, he claimed. The coal power plant is in its last stages of construction. Earnest effort is required for the completion of development projects in the country, he urged.

    Many countries have invested in Punjab, he remarked, adding ?we want foreign investors to come to Pakistan.? He also assured that foolproof security will be provided to the foreign investors.
    On terrorism, he said, ?the government is bent on eliminating the menace of terrorism. Our military jawans [soldiers] are sacrificing their lives and we will not settle without eliminating the plague of terrorism,? he stressed. 


  25. Waqas Dar
    [embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/2c70e8d8b04a7657960127816eee22d5.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9NS8yMi8yMDE3IDk6NTA6NTEgQU0maGFzaF92YWx1ZT15VWxVNFh4K1ZxbFRlVG9uNVJNNDlnPT0mdmFsaWRtaW51dGVzPTYwJmlkPTE= style=center]
    ISLAMABAD: Offices of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf?s (PTI) social media head for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were raided by unidentified officials, it was revealed on Monday.

    Talking to the media outside the Supreme Court on Monday, PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry condemned the continuous action against the party?s social media activists.
    He explained that the party does not know for sure which organisation ransacked its social media office in Peshawar, saying it could be the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
    ?[Prime Minister] Nawaz?s actions [against free speech] mirror Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina?s crackdown on opposition parties,? claimed Chaudhry, a lawyer by profession.
    He cautioned the federal government from using state machinery to clamp down on dissent, saying ?there is a difference between hate speech and [political] insults.?
    We stand with our social media activists, and even with those from across the aisle, he said further.
    Praising the Pakistan Army as ?our own?, PTI MNA Mohammad Ali Khan said [Interior Minister] Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan is behind the FIA action.
    The PTI will hold a protest outside the Islamabad Press Club against the arrests of its social media activists Monday evening. Party leaders say if the situation does not improve they will increase the size and frequency of their protests.
    Stop maligning state institutions: Govt orders mass crackdown on social media activists
    PTI to hold protest in Islamabad on Monday over ?harassment? of workers
    The FIA is investigating some 41 people for posting anti-state content on various social media websites. ?Some two dozen people suspected of publishing hate materials are in our custody ? and it also includes some eight activists of the PTI and PML-N,? a senior official of the FIA disclosed to Geo News on Sunday.


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