Month: December 2020

Despite Prime Minister Imran Khan’s efforts to stop the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) rally in Lahore scheduled for December 13, PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday declared that the sixth rally of the 11-party alliance due to be held at Minar-e-Pakistan will take place “at all costs.”

“They don’t want to stop us, but don’t want to give us permission and then where we want to hold a rally, they’ve created a dam. So we discussed alternative strategies as well. But the rally will take place at all costs,” Fazlur Rehman said, Geo News quoted.

“….Today, during our discussions, we came to debate over how the Punjab government is making a dam out of the Minar-e-Pakistan venue so that it is rendered useless to hold a rally,” he added.

This comes after Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government flooded the Minar-i-Pakistan lawns in a “failed effort” to stop PDM from holding the sixth rally on December 13.

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar-led administration has enforced “smart lockdown” in 45 areas of Lahore, including areas close to the rally’s venue. The government has not given permission to PDM to hold the rally.

In the past months, Khan stepped up his efforts to silence the voice of PDM along with thousands of people who criticised the government.”The PTI government released water at Minar-i-Pakistan in the early hours of Tuesday. When we learnt about it, we rushed there and stopped further watering (by the administration),” Dawn quoted Bilal Yasin, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker from Mohni Road as saying.

Speaking on the release of water at the venue, Dawn quoted PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz as saying in a tweet: “This action reflects the fear of Taabedar Khan (obedient Khan) that his government is being sent packing. The Lahore rally will be held and the government be sent home too.”

Previously, before the Multan rally, the police had filed a case against the workers of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) workers for breaking through security barriers set up by the Imran Khan government for forcibly storming into Multan’s Qila Qasim Bagh.

Besides, the police also filed a case against caterers who had agreed to provide services to the organisers of the Multan rally.

PPP leader Ali Qasim Gilani and several opposition leaders were arrested on Sunday ahead of the PDM rally in Multan.Despite such attempts, the PDM has held five rallies in Multan, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Karachi and Quetta since October 16. (ANI)

Farmer unions on Wednesday rejected the government’s proposals on changes in three farm laws and said they will intensify their protest for the repeal of these laws.

“We reject the government’s proposals,” said Darshan Pal, President of Krantikari Kisan Union at a joint press conference of farmer unions at Singhu border between Delhi and Haryana.

The farmer union leaders said that there will be sit-ins at BJP offices and protest demonstrations will be held in many parts of the country on December 14.

They said that Delhi-Jaipur highway will be blocked on December 12 and added that they are also giving a call to farmers from other parts of the country to reach Delhi.

The proposals were sent to farmer union leaders after they attended a meeting called by Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday. The farmers are on protest on borders of Delhi against three farm laws.

Before Tuesday’s meeting, the government and farmer unions had held five rounds of talks.

The farmer unions had called a Bharat Bandh on Tuesday in support of their demand which was supported by several political parties.

The farmers are protesting against the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce(Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmer (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. (ANI)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda on Wednesday expressed gratitude to the people of Rajasthan for reposing their faith in his party during Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad elections held in November-December.

“I thank the people of the rural areas of the state, farmers and women for their faith in the BJP in the Panchayati Raj and Zila Parishad elections in Rajasthan. This victory is a symbol of the faith of the village, poor, farmer and labourer in Prime Minister @narendramodi ji,” Nadda tweeted (roughly translated from Hindi).

Meanwhile, BL Santosh, National General Secretary (Org) BJP in a tweet said, “In the recently held Panchayat Samiti and Jilla Parishad elections @BJP4Rajasthan wins in 1,833 seats where as @INCIndia lags behind with 1,713 wins . Remember these were rural constituencies with farmers and labourers as major voters. Well done Team Rajasthan BJP.”

The counting, which began on Tuesday, continued till late evening but final results are yet to be announced. BJP is leading in both the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti election results. (ANI)

In an “effort” to stop the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) — an 11-party alliance — from holding the sixth rally on December 13, the Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government has flooded Minar-i-Pakistan lawns, the designated venue for the rally.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar-led administration has enforced ‘smart lockdown’ in 45 areas of Lahore, including areas close to the rally’s venue.

The government has not given permission to PDM to hold the rally.

In the past months, Khan stepped up his efforts to silence the voice of PDM along with thousands of people who criticised the government.

“The PTI government released water at Minar-i-Pakistan in the early hours of Tuesday. When we learnt about it we rushed there and stopped further watering (by the administration),” Dawn quoted Bilal Yasin, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker from Mohni Road as saying.

Speaking on the release of water at the venue, Dawn quoted PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz as saying in a tweet: “This action reflects the fear of Taabedar Khan (obedient Khan) that his government is being sent packing. The Lahore rally will be held and the government be sent home too.”

Earlier, before the Multan rally, the police had filed a case against the workers of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) workers for breaking through security barriers set up by the Imran Khan government for forcibly storming into Multan’s Qila Qasim Bagh.

Besides, the police also filed a case against caterers who had agreed to provide services to the organisers of the Multan rally.

PPP leader Ali Qasim Gilani and several opposition leaders were arrested on Sunday ahead of the PDM rally in Multan.

Despite such attempts, the PDM has held five rallies in Multan, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Karachi and Quetta since October 16. (ANI)

Actor Parineeti Chopra expressed gratitude as she completed nine years in Bollywood on Wednesday.

“9 years. THANKYOU. #9YearsOfParineetiChopra,” she tweeted.

The 32-year-old actor also recalled the moment when she was signed by the Yash Raj Films banner for her debut flick Maneesh Sharma’s ‘Ladies vs Ricky Bahl’.

“#9YearsOfParineetiChopra,” Parineeti tweeted as she shared the old tweet.

“Guyssss!! The BIGGEST news!! I am being launched by Yash Raj Films as their new talent and I’m signing a 3 film deal!!!!!!!!! 😀 :D,” the ‘Ishaqzaade,’ actor’s old tweet read.

Today also marks the ninth anniversary of Parineeti Chopra’s debut flick ‘Ladies vs Ricky Bahl.’ (ANI)

Over two million UK families are expected to experience destitution in 2020, double the number from the previous year, as the COVID-19 pandemic plunges the United Kingdom’s economy into its deepest recession since recording began, a study by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) revealed on Wednesday.

“This study, the third in the Destitution in the UK series, reveals that even before the COVID-19 outbreak destitution was rapidly growing in scale and intensity. Since 2017 many more households, including families with children, have been pushed to the brink,” the JRF’s research said.

The foundation defines destitution as when a household cannot afford two or more of the essentials we all need to live, like shelter, food, heating and clothing.

According to the report, of the 2.4 million people that experienced destitution at any point during 2019, around 550,000 were children. It also found that one in five destitute people are homeless or suffer from drug and alcohol problems, while some 54 per cent have a chronic health problem or disability.

“I’m appalled, I’m ashamed and I’m angry. Nearly 2.5 million people experienced destitution in 2019. That’s more than a 50 per cent increase since 2017. More than half a million children are growing up with the experience of destitution,” JRF director Helen Barnard said in a video published on Twitter in which she called for improving social security, building more social homes and creating better paid, more secure jobs.

The study said although destitution has risen sharply across the UK, the highest levels are in northern cities and towns. (ANI/Sputnik)

India skipper Virat Kohli has equalled the record for most half-centuries in the shortest format of the game. Kohli achieved the feat against Australia when he reached his 25th half-century in the third and final T20I at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday. The Indian skipper has equaled Rohit Sharma’s tally of most fifties in T20I as both have 25 fifties under their belt.

While Kohli reached the milestone in his 79th innings, Rohit had taken 100 innings to smash his 25th half-century in the shortest format of the game. Australia opening batsman David Warner is third on the list having registered 19 fifties while Ireland’s Paul Stirling is at the fourth spot.

Kohli’s half-century on Tuesday went in vain as Australia secured a 12-run victory over India in the third T20I. While India had already won the three-match T20I series after winning the first two games, Australia won the last game to avoid a whitewash.

India will now lock horns in the four-match Test series against Australia which gets underway on December 17. The first match will be a day-night affair and Kohli will head back home after the first Test as he has been granted paternity leave by the BCCI.

Rohit’s availability for the Test series is also not clear as his fitness will be reassessed on December 11 at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, India A and Australia A recently squared off in a three-day practice game and that ended in a draw. Cameron Green scored a century for Australia A in the first innings, while Ajinkya Rahane did the same for the visitors in the first innings.

The Indian team and Australia A will face each other in another practice-game, beginning Friday. However, this match would be played under lights and it will be a pink-ball contest. (ANI)

As veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha on Wednesday rings in his 75th milestone birthday, daughter Sonakshi Sinha shared an adorable family picture to extend greeting on the platinum celebration.

The ‘Dabangg’ star took to Instagram and shared a picture with the ‘Sholay’ star along with her mom and siblings to mark the special day.

In the picture, Sonakshi is seen dressed in a traditional ensemble along with other family members at their home.

Along with the photograph, the ‘Holiday’ star added, “Happy Birthdayyyy Papa! (along with a red heart emoji).”

Bollywood celebrities and more than 1 lakh fans liked the post within 56 minutes of being posted, with many leaving adorable birthday wishes in comments.

TV talk show host Manish Paul extended birthday wishes and noted, “Happy birthday to sir.@aslisona.”(ANI)

Video Jockey and popular Tamil TV star Chitra found dead in a hotel room in Nazrathpet here during the early hours on Wednesday.

The Police have recovered her body which has been sent for autopsy and further investigation in the matter is underway. She was 29.

The late Tamil actor had checked into a hotel room earlier last night after a shoot. The receptionist of the hotel had alerted the Police of the case.

Chitra has worked in several Tamil advertisements and has been an anchor in various shows. She rose to fame with her role in the popular Tamil TV show ‘Pandian Stores.’ (ANI)