Cheese back on top: Google finally fixes burger emoji

Google made good on its promise to fix the hamburger emoji, which led to an online debacle last month. The people who argued that the cheese goes on top of the burger won, and the emoji has been fixed, according to Emojipedia, a site which tracks the emoji universe and all the changes. The burger emoji has been updated in the Android 8.1. The emoji now matches all its other counterparts where the cheese is on the top. On October 28, a user pointed out: ?I think we need to have a discussion about how Google's burger emoji is placing the cheese underneath the burger, while Apple puts it on top.? The tweet had more than 51,000 likes and 25,000 retweets. Replying to this, Google CEO Sundar Pichai replied he would ?drop everything? to address this issue. As a result, internet started debating over the correct way to stack a cheeseburger. Google even went to experiment with putting the cheese at the bottom, according to one of the users. The update has finally put the debate to rest!

Over 400 US Marines being withdrawn from Syria anti-Daesh operation

WASHINGTON: Over 400 US Marines involved in battling Daesh in Syria are being withdrawn as part of a cut in forces after the capture of militant "capital" Raqqa, the US-led coalition said Thursday. The Marines had deployed to Syria in March and used 155mm howitzers to support local forces as they fought to retake Raqqa. "With the city liberated and ISIS on the run, the unit has been ordered home. Its replacements have been called off," the coalition said in a statement. The coalition's director of operations Brigadier General Jonathan Braga called the move "a real sign of progress" as the militants have seen the vast swathes of ground they seized across Syria and Iraq in 2014 reduced to just a few remaining pockets. "We're drawing down combat forces where it makes sense, but still continuing our efforts to help Syrian and Iraqi partners maintain security," Braga said in the statement. A recent report from the Pentagon's Defense Manpower Data Center said that as of September 30, the US military had 1,720 troops in Syria and 8,892 in Iraq. Those numbers were far above the officially released figure of 503 in Syria and 5,262 in Iraq, and even after the announcement of the Marine withdrawal, that supposed 503 figure hadn´t budged. An alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), retook Raqqa from the militants in October after a brutal onslaught supported by artillery and air power from the US-led coalition. The international group - which began targeting the militants in 2014 - is still supporting the militia in an operation in neighboring Deir Ezzor province. The Syrian government backed by Russian firepower is currently conducting a separate offensive in the same region. As operations change from taking back territory to more of a counter-insurgency, the need for equipment like heavy artillery has diminished, Pentagon spokesman Major Adrian Rankine-Galloway said. Now the goal is more to "train local security forces to defend their territory," he said. 'Adjustments to military support' Since Raqqa's capture, coalition strikes have dropped off drastically and, under pressure from Turkey, Washington has promised "adjustments to the military support" for the SDF. Kurdish officials have, however, insisted that cooperation will continue between the two sides, while the US has said coalition forces do not expect to end their mission until a peace deal is negotiated in Syria. In a separate statement released Thursday the coalition said that 801 civilians had been killed unintentionally in the more than 28,000 air strikes it has conducted and that it is still probing 695 reported incidents. Monitoring group Airwars insists that number is well below the true civilian toll of the bombing campaign, estimating that almost 6,000 innocent lives have been lost. As the "caliphate" the militants declared now looks set to be wiped off the map, there are major questions over what comes next in Syria's complex war that has claimed over 340,000 lives since 2011. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - and his main backers Iran and Russia - now have clear military superiority in the country and international players led by Moscow are making their most concerted push to halt hostilities. But any progress towards an overall political settlement remains fraught with obstacles and UN-backed talks involving the regime and opposition currently taking place in Geneva have been clouded by major disagreements.

Recommendations to be furnished for approval of manganese quantity in petrol

KARACHI: The committee, formed by the prime minister pertaining to probe addition of manganese to gasoline by fuel suppliers, will furnish recommendations for approval of quantity of manganese in petrol specifications, sources told Geo News Thursday. Earlier this months, Pakistan?s state oil and gas regulator said it will investigate a complaint filed by Honda Motor Co?s Pakistan subsidiary, Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Limited, which said the harmful additive appeared to be damaging the engines in its vehicles. Manganese can be added to fuel to make it appear to be of a higher quality, but it can reduce fuel economy as well as potentially harm public health due to emissions. In August 2016, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet had approved the use of 92 RON petrol in the country, after which its import began in Nov 2016 while local refineries also started refining same grade gasoline. Sources informed Thursday that the government has not approved quantity of manganese in the specifications of RON 92 petrol. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP) also turned a blind eye to the issue. However, the committee, formed by the premier to probe the matter, will not present recommendations for approval of a specified quantity of manganese in petrol. The Honda complaint had said tests had found dangerous levels of manganese in fuel samples from Shell Pakistan Limited, Total Parco Pakistan Limited, and Pakistan State Oil Company Limited. The tests had shown levels of manganese of up to 53 milligrams per kilogramme (mg/kg), while the additive is deemed at a ?danger level? at 24 mg/kg, the Honda complaint said.

Snap CEO announces design overhaul, takes a dig at Facebook and Twitter

The popular photo-sharing platform is all set for a major design overhaul. Photo: Reuters Snapchat users should gear up for change, as the social-media platform is ready to roll out changes to a few test-user later this week. The popular photo-sharing platform is all set for a major design overhaul. Co-founder and CEO Evan Spiegel recently made the announcement, and also took a dig at competitors Facebook and Twitter over the issue of fake news. The company is redesigning its app to separate media and social communications, making it easier to use and understand, Spiegel wrote in an opinion piece in Axios on Wednesday. ?We think this helps guard against fake news and mindless scrambles for friends or unworthy distractions,? Spiegel said, taking a jibe at rivals Facebook and Twitter. ?The separation takes an important step forward towards strengthening our relationships with our friends and our relationships with the media,? he added. The design overhaul will focus on separating the ?Discover? page on the right and the ?Friends? page on the left. ?Discover? allows you to see stories from vetted publishers, stories from around the world or stories from influencers or people you chose to follow, while the ?Friends? page features updates from close friends and family. The changes will be available to all users on iOS and Android devices in the coming weeks, reports say. The entire redesign was done in-house, a Snapchat spokesperson was quoted as saying. Social media giant Facebook has been accused of copying Snapchat in the past. Earlier, this week, it started working on a feature similar to Snapchat?s ?Streaks? which is an addictive game that encourages friends to send messages back and forth for consecutive days.

Govt promotes three PAF officers to air vice marshal

Air Vice Marshals Soban Nazir Syed (left), Muhammad Zahoor Faisal (centre) and Rizwan Riaz (right). ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan has promoted three Pakistan Air Force officers to the rank of air vice marshal. According to a press release issued from PAF on Thursday, the air commodores promoted to the rank of air vice marshal are Muhammad Zahoor Faisal, Soban Nazir Syed and Rizwan Riaz.

IN PICTURES: Pakistan lights up for Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH)

Buildings, streets, roads, mosques have been illuminated across Pakistan on account of the birth of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) on 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal, which will be marked on Friday. The celebrations started last week during which many buildings were lit up and currently many processions are being held across the country. A beautiful illuminated view of street decorated with lights in connection with Eid Milad-un-Nabi in Karachi. Photo: PPI A mosque is seen illuminated ahead of Eid-e-Milad-ul-Nabi in Rawalpindi, Pakistan November 29, 2017. Photo: REUTERS A beautiful illuminated view of street decorated with lights in connection with Eid Milad-un-Nabi in Rawalpindi. Photo: PPI A look of luminous street which decorated on the occasion Eid Milad-un-Nabi at the locality of Hussainabad in Karachi on Monday, November 27, 2017.Photo: PPI Illuminated look of streets and building in Hyderabad on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi. Photo: PPI Pakistani Muslims stand outside an illuminated mosque during celebrations marking the Eid Milad-un-Nabi in Karachi on November 29, 2017. Photo: AFP Illuminated look of streets and building in Hyderabad on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi. Photo: PPI Illuminated look of Aram Bagh Moque on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi,in Karachi. Photo:PPI Pakistani residents walk through a decorated market for Eid Milad-un-Nabi (birthday of the Prophet Mohammad) festival in Lahore on November 29, 2017. Photo: AFP Pakistani residents walk through a decorated market for Eid Milad-un-Nabi in Lahore on November 30, 2017. Photo: AFP Beautiful illuminated view of residential building in Karachi on the occasion Eid Milad-un-Nabi on Sunday, November 26, 2017. Photo: PPI

Two killed, nine hurt in Ukraine courtroom blast

KIEV: Two people were killed and another nine injured on Thursday after two hand grenades were detonated by the father of a victim in a murder trial in southeastern Ukraine, police said. The incident occurred in the city of Nikopol, about 240 kilometres from the separatist east of the country, during the trial of several men accused of killing two people in 2016, according to a statement from regional police. During the hearing, the father of one of the victims pulled out and detonated two hand grenades, killing one and wounding seven other people, it said. Later a police spokesman confirmed the death of the second person - one of the defendants - after he was taken to a hospital. The spokesman added that a total of nine people were wounded, including the defendants, court personnel and guards. The tragedy highlights the arms trafficking problem in Ukraine since the conflict between Russian-backed rebels and Kiev army erupted in April 2014 in the country's east and has since then killed more than 10,000 people. In November, Kiev police said two men were detained after 6.5 kilogrammes of explosives were found hidden in a car that was parked near a shopping centre in a densely populated area on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital. Also this month, in the eastern war-torn Donetsk region police intercepted a car that was illegally carrying hundreds of cartridges and six hand grenades. Security forces in southern Odessa region have also announced the arrest of a man suspected of trafficking weapons from the conflict zone.

Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) to be celebrated with religious fervor on Friday

[embed_video1 url=http://ift.tt/2kbwxqJ style=center] ISLAMABAD: Eid Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) would be observed across the country with traditional religious zeal on Friday. The government and religious organizations, Milad committees and individuals have planned a number of activities including Milad processions, seminars, conferences, and discussion programmes to celebrate the annual event. The sacred day will begin with offering special prayers in mosques for upholding and flourishing of Islam and religious teachings, unity, solidarity, progress, and welfare of the Muslim ummah. Numerous Eid Milad-un-Nabi processions will be taken out across the country and ?Mehfil-e-Milad? would be held to celebrate the occasion. All city streets and roads including bazaars and shopping centres, government and private buildings have been beautifully decorated with lights and banners bearing the writings about the celebration of the Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) have been illuminated across the country. Gates have been erected at all major roads and streets in all small and major towns of the country in connection with Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) celebrations. Private and public buildings have beautifully been illuminated with colourful lights on this occasion to express jubilation over the sacred day. Many vendors have set up colourful stalls with a unique collection of badges, stickers, flags and banners inscribed with religious slogans, to pay respect and reverence to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) across the country. Federal and provincial governments have already prepared contingency security plans with coordination of other law enforcement agencies to guard the processions and other events to be held on the day. Special checking of the route in Islamabad would be completed before the procession starts and bomb disposal squad would clear the route on the day. More than 2,000 police personnel, including 300 traffic policemen, will perform security duties on Eid Milad-un-Nabi in the federal capital, while special teams of Rangers, crime investigation department (CID), and special branch police will assist in the smooth performance of their duties. The main procession in Islamabad will start from Sector G-7 (Sitara Market) and culminate near the shrine of Hazrat Sakhi Mehmud at Aabpara Market. The areas will be completely cordoned off through heavy deployment of law enforcement personnel. Strict monitoring of the main procession, through Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras recently installed, is part of the security plan. Parking vehicles on the route of the procession will be prohibited. No one would be allowed to stand on the rooftops of the commercial and residential buildings situated along the route of the main procession while armed police personnel would be deployed on the rooftops of the buildings. Police patrolling had also been enhanced in many areas. The faithful would be checked with metal detectors and walk through gates would be installed at the entry points of the processions. The route of the main procession would be sealed completely and streets on the route would also be barricaded. In Rawalpindi, as many as 3,500 policemen will be deployed in Rawalpindi district to ensure security for the processions of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH). The main procession route, DAV College Chowk, Fowara Chowk, Raja Bazaar, Bansaa Wala Chowk and Buni Chowk would be barricaded. All the traffic would be diverted on other routes. Murree Road diversions would be at Rialto Chowk, Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk underpass, Naz Cinema Chowk, Rawal Road Turn, Double Road, Gungmandi near City police station and at other main Chowks.

Pakistan Navy ships arrive in Iran on friendly visit

ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistani Navy (PN) ships, PNS Dehshat and PNS Rahnaward, made a port call to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, said a statement released by the PN. The port visit, scheduled from November 20 to 24, is the second visit by PN ship within a span of a year. Rahnaward, a tall training ship and Dehshat, a fast attack craft-missile docked into port under the command of Commander 10th Patrol Craft Squadron Captain Khalid Pervez. "The visit was aimed to promote peace and' security in the region, enhance maritime collaboration and open new avenues of bilateral cooperation between the two friendly regional navies," said the PN statement. During the visit, the PN delegation held meetings with the naval and military leadership of Iran on matters of mutual interest. A reception dinner was also hosted during the visit by Capt Pervez onboard PNS Rahnaward which was attended by Ambassador of Pakistan Asif Durrani, senior Iranian military and civil officials along with military attaches from China, Poland, Germany and Japan. The visit of the PN flotilla to Iran demonstrates strengthening of cordial relations between Pakistan and Iran based on mutual respect, shared history and culture, added the statement.

FBR extends deadline for filing of tax returns to Dec 15

KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the deadline to file annual income tax returns and wealth statements to December 15. The last date for filing the returns for 2016-17 was earlier announced to be November 30. All those whose annual salary from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 is above Rs.400,000 are required to file their income tax returns along with wealth statement for the financial year 2016-17. Usually, the FBR extends the deadline many times a year to encourage people to file their returns.

This Iranian Woman Wanted To Look Like Angelina Jolie & We Must Say, She Nailed It

Plastic surgeries can sometimes end in a complete disaster, especially when you're trying to look like one specific person. But honestly, this woman from Iran has absolutely nailed it. Sahar Tabar is a massive fan of Angelina Jolie and she was so desperate to look like her favourite star that she was ready to go to any lengths for it. She devoted herself completely to this quest and underwent 50 surgeries to look like her idol. A post shared by سحرتبر..!ð¾âð» (@sahartabar_official) on Nov 29, 2017 at 11:03am PST You must admit, all of the hard work – and money – paid off. She looks so much like Angelina Jolie, it's uncanny. Just look at them, they could be twins! © Twitter/Sahar Tabar Actually, we would go as far as to say that she does the 'Angelina Jolie look' better than Angelina Jolie herself. A post shared by سحرتبر..!ð¾âð» (@sahartabar_official) on Oct 11, 2017 at 12:08pm PDT She started posting pictures of her new, improved face on Instagram and soon went viral, because all celebrity doppelgangers deserve their fair share of internet fame and this one is on point. We've seen Rihanna's lookalike before and even Jennifer Lawrence's doppelganger, but they ain't got nothing on Sahar. A post shared by سحرتبر..!ð¾âð» (@sahartabar_official) on Nov 29, 2017 at 12:55pm PST Sahar is so committed to maintain her Angelina Jolie look, that along with the surgeries, she also underwent an extreme regime of dieting to maintain her 40kg weight, which would classify her as dangerously underweight, but it seems like it's worth it to her. A post shared by سحرتبر..!ð¾âð» (@sahartabar_official) on Oct 22, 2017 at 5:31am PDT Angelina Jolie should be worried about her career, tbh, since a younger and better-looking version of her is here. It shouldn't take long for Hollywood to come knocking at Sahar's door, and soon she'll be everyone's favourite actor. Maybe then someone will try to emulate her. Wait, is that how it all works? Does this kind of cycle just continues for generations? Is this the way to stardom? A post shared by سحرتبر..!ð¾âð» (@sahartabar_official) on Nov 13, 2017 at 7:53am PST The bottom line is Sahar looks incredible and she definitely knows it. PS – If you didn't get the sarcasm, then congratulations, you have won the internet!

Sindh requests suspension of cellular services on Eid Milad-un-Nabi

KARACHI: The Government of Sindh has requested the federation for suspending cellular and internet services on Friday, to ensure security on Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH). The Sindh home department wrote a letter to the Ministry of Interior requesting suspension of cellular and internet services in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur. It requested the ministry to suspend these services from 8am to 8pm on Friday, in view of security concerns on the occasion. However, a decision whether or not to suspend the services is pending with the interior ministry.

Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations begin in Karachi

[embed_video1 url=http://ift.tt/2jxOSdH style=center] KARACHI: Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) celebrations have begun in Karachi with religious zeal and fervour, while authorities have finalised a comprehensive security plan on the occasion. More than 23,000 police personnel will be deployed across the megapolis, while 5,000 personnel will perform security duties along the route of main procession in the city. A procession, organised by Dawat-e-Islami, will be taken out from Kharadar area to Garden, while another procession, led by Maulana Akbar Dars, will march from Memon Masjid Kharadar to Aram Bagh. Shah Abdul Haq Qadri will lead a procession from Kharadar to Nishter Park. Police officials and personnel will perform security duties along different routes. Members of bomb disposal squad (BDS) will sweep the routes, while snipers will be positioned on high-rise buildings all along. Ambulances and fire tenders will be present on central points of every procession. Meanwhile, the Sindh home department has issued directives to police and district administration to prevent hate speeches. Similar directions were issued to cable-operators in the city warning them against airing controversial speeches. It has been learnt that authorities have advised concerned individuals to ensure are parking lots are reserved at a safe distance from processions and ceremonies. Erecting sectarian flags and banners on public buildings is prohibited, whereas authorities have been asked to keep a watch on individuals named in the Fourth Schedule. Authorities have also imposed a ban on taking along any kind of firearms, warning of stern action in case of any violation. Sindh requests suspension of cellular, internet services The Sindh home department has also requested the Ministry of Interior to suspend cellular and internet services in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur from 8am to 8pm on Friday. The request was made to ensure security of masses on the occasion.

Indian occupation forces terrorising people in IoK: Foreign office

ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal remarked that Indian occupation forces are terrorising people in Indian occupied Kashmir, during the weekly briefing of the foreign office on Thursday. ?The Indian occupation forces in Kupwara, Bandipore, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Islamabad and Kupwara districts continue to terrorise the innocent Kashmiri people inter alia by illegal house searches at all times,? said the spokesperson, adding ?Pakistan condemns and calls upon the world human rights defenders to stand up for Kashmiris in IOK.? He further said that Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has expressed deep anguish at the gross violations of human rights in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which continue unabated. ?India continues with its malicious attempts to mislead the global community by seeking to portray the legitimate and indigenous struggle of the Kashmiri people as ?terrorism?.? The Foreign Minister condemned in the strongest possible terms the repeated arrests and incarceration of the top Kashmiri leaders, who have remained in the vanguard of the Jammu and Kashmiri struggle for the realisation of the legitimate right to self-determination. The attack on Kashmiri political detainees, including Syed Shahid Yusuf, Ahtisham, Shazad Ahmed and over a dozen other political prisoners was carried out by the jail administration and Tamil Nadu Police deputed in India's infamous Tihar jail Dehli, he said. ?The incident is completely unjustifiable, extremely serious. The ghastly act has endangered the lives of all Kashmiri political prisoners.? He also shared that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is visiting Russia (Sochi) to participate in the 16th Meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), on the invitation of Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, DA Medvedev. Moreover, the 7th Ministerial Conference of Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan on 30 November - 01 December 2017. Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif is leading the Pakistan delegation to participate in the Conference, he added. Condemning the terrorist attack in Egypt, he said: ?The Government of Pakistan condemns in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist attack against innocent worshippers at Al Rawdah mosque in the North Sinai region of Egypt, leading to 305 reported deaths and 127 injured. The people of Pakistan are deeply grieved at this senseless and barbaric act and stand in full solidarity with their Egyptian brethren in this moment of anguish and tragedy,? Faisal added.

Don't know about others but Sanjay Bhansali has definitely offended me: Salman

Sanjay Leela Bhansali seems to have offended quite a few people, and Salman is the latest addition to the list. Sanjay Leela Bhansali seems to have offended quite a few people, and Salman is the latest 'addition' to the list. The megastar has ?accused? the ace-director of ?offending? him, India Time reported. ?Don?t know about others but Sanjay Leela Bhansali has definitely offended me,? Salman said, teasing the director in a lighthearted manner. ?I gave him two hits but he still chose Shah Rukh Khan for Devdas,? he said, on a lighter note. Expressing his views on Bhansali?s upcoming movie Padmavati and the controversies it is surrounded with, Salman said: ?Nobody but only the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the court will decide on Padmavati.? ?Yes, it is not right to hurt anyone?s sentiments but at the same time, it is not fair to comment on the film without seeing it. Everyone must respect the verdict of the censor board.? Padmavati controversy is at its peak. Even a day before its initial release date there is no sign of calm. A few celebrities have come out in the open to lend their support to Bhansali?s film. Salman, who has earlier worked with the filmmaker in Khamoshi (1996) and Hum Dil Chuke Sanam (1999), has also said that Bhansali is a responsible filmmaker and will not make a film that will offend anyone. Speaking at the Hindustan Times Summit, the actor further pointed out how the controversies and negativity around a film are detrimental to the entire industry and works against all those people who work in it. ?Whenever there is a controversy around a film, there is a lot of loss. People panic, and refrain from going to theatres,? said Salman. The actor urged all the groups involved in the Padmavati controversy to stop protesting without watching the film first.

Male cheetah dies in Lahore zoo, month after being imported

LAHORE: A male cheetah, the latest addition in the Lahore Zoo, passed away due to diarrhea after spending just 30 days at the zoo. The four-year-old cheetah and its female pair were imported from South Africa on October 29, this year. However, the female cheetah had died earlier. The male cheetah was diagnosed with diarrhea, despite getting treatment by experts from the University of Veterinary and Animal Science (UVAS), it didn't survived. The death of the animals has raised a fresh wave of questions against the zoo management. In mere 14 months, the zoo has lost its female elephant, Suzi, a giraffe, lion cubs among other animals. Speaking over the issue, Director Lahore Zoo Hassan Ali said that the management is aware of its responsibilities. Many measures have been adopted to provide conducive environment to the animals, he added. He shared that the cheetah was constantly under observation, and experts were in contact with the staff. The body of Cheetah has been shifted to the UVAS for postmortem, he added. On May 13, Lahore Zoo?s sole elephant and visitors? most beloved attraction, Suzi, died after an acute pain in her legs, according to zoo officials. Officials of the zoo administration said Suzi had been transported to Pakistan in the late 1980s and was around 35-years-old. They added that the female elephant had reached her natural life span limit. Lahore Zoo?s favourite attraction no more 35-year-old Suzi the elephant dies of pain in legs: Zoo admin According to reports, the zoo administration had discontinued rides on the elephant several years ago after realising that she could not support the weight on her back. Officials said Suzi was the most attractive feature at the zoo and would enthrall visitors, especially children, for hours.

Legal experts prove no change in Khatm-e-Nabuwat clause: Ahsan Iqbal

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that legal experts have proven that there is no change in the Khatm-e-Nabuwat [finality of Prophethood] clause of the Elections Act 2017. ?There has been no change in the Khatm-e-Nabuwat [finality of Prophethood] clause,? he remarked, adding that no one can even think about changing this clause. He also shared that it was saddening to see the allegations leveled against former law minister Zahid Hamid. As soon the ?clerical error? was pointed out, Hamid ensured that the mistake was rectified, he added. While speaking to media in Islamabad, Iqbal remarked that some elements are trying to cause strife on the basis of the issue. ?The enemy is focusing on dividing the nation on basis of religion,? he said. The prolonged sit-in The sit-in at Faizabad interchange, between the twin cities, was started by a religious group against the amendment made to the finality of Prophethood declaration. Although the 'clerical mistake' was corrected, a protest was carried out with the demand for the removal of Zahid Hamid from the position of law minister. On the other hand, the Islamabad High Court had given an ultimatum to the protesters to end the sit-in. However, since the interchange was not cleared, an operation was conducted by the Islamabad administration, which drew a reaction from the protesters. As a result, protests and clashes took place not only in the federal capital, but also in other parts of the country. Protesters also caused damage to public installations. The sit-in was finally called off and protesters dispersed after their main demand ? of law minister resigning ? was fulfilled.

The 12 Secrets To Being Happy Without Terms And Conditions

There have been thousands of essays, books and speeches on happiness and the secret to achieving it. Plato said the ultimate goal of man is happiness. And we do find ourselves desperately running after it, seeking it anywhere and everywhere – from the worn-out office chair and boardroom meetings to those Friday nights of unrestrained drinking, from the yoga getaways of Rishikesh to the neon party lights of Goa, from that extra slice of cake to those last painful push-ups. What is the secret to a perfect life? How do some people manage it so smoothly? © Pexels It never ends – this cycle of waiting for life to get better to be happy. I'll be happy when I get a girlfriend. I'll be happy if I get that dream job. We put so many long-term clauses on our happiness that it's no surprise it evades us. When you tell your mind that you can't be happy unless you get something, you are telling yourself you are unhappy in your present condition. The more you think about not having that something, the unhappier you get. When you tell yourself you hate something, the mind automatically keeps working to maintain that hate. If you tell yourself you hate your morning workout, the mind will keep you awake at night and not let you wake up on time in the morning, thus making you miss the gym session. Don't blame the mind – it's just helping you get what you asked it to. © Pexels Happiness need not be dependent on success, and success need not guarantee happiness. So how do you gain control over your life then? How do you achieve that constant state of general bliss, where you are ready to take on anything that life throws at you? So how do you train your mind into making your life actually better? You do these: 1. Get up early. This is the simplest and most clichéd advice you'd hear in your lifetime, but it's also the most underrated. For someone who has never been a morning person and needs her 8 hours of sleep, I know the pain of waking up early is an actual physical one. If you can't wake up early, start by telling yourself you love waking up early and you hate sleeping in late. Before you go to sleep, remind yourself of all the wonderful things you can do early in the morning. Your brain will gradually do what you think you love to do – which is waking up early. You'd be surprised by the amount of work you'll get done in the early morning hours, and you'd never want to go back to the old routine ever. 2. Sit on your bed for 5 minutes and tell yourself the 5 things you look forward to doing today. I'm going to take my dog for a walk today and we'll enjoy the warm winter sun together. I'm gonna do 5 extra reps at the gym today. Instead of telling yourself you're dreading that meeting at office, tell yourself that despite the dread you are excited to hear what your colleagues will present at the meeting. Don't tell yourself you hate getting up, you hate going to office, you hate taking a bath, even if you do. Tell yourself it's a lovely day, and it's going to be fantastic. When you tell yourself you hate something, you hate it even more. When you tell yourself you don't hate it, your mind gradually makes you like it and the task becomes easy. © Thinkstock/Getty Images 3. Exercise. Stretch. Go to the gym. Swim. Dance. Cycle. Train. Choose one activity of your liking and do it every day till you get bored of it. Even if you are not losing weight, keep doing it to keep yourself fit enough to function. A fit body gives you confidence and boosts your mood. A happy mind can make miracles happen. 4. Take time out to eat your meals in peace. Savour each morsel of your food. Avoid eating with people you don't like. Make mealtimes a pleasant activity. Have lunch with your favourite people. Have breakfast with your newspaper. Have dinner with your loved one. Focus on the food on your table and thank the universe for it. 5. Find excuses to laugh. Find something to laugh heartily at least once in the day. Think of the good things in life and smile. Smile, even if you are not feeling it. Gradually, you will learn how to feel it. Fake it till you make it. When you smile even when you are not happy, the brain gets confused and eventually starts believing you really are happy. Read a joke off the internet, share a meme, send a WhatsApp joke to a friend and share a laugh together. If there's no one, tell the joke to the stranger sitting next to you in the metro train. You'd be surprised at how eager the world is to find a reason to smile. © Thinkstock/Getty Images 6. Do one thing every day only for yourself, something that gives you happiness. It could be reading a particular book, playing the guitar, starting a new language, cooking something you like. Even if you do it for 15 minutes, do it. 7. Eat fruit every day. Tell yourself you want to eat that apple, even if you hate it. Finish it and pat yourself on the back for having made a healthy choice. Ten years down the line, your body will thank you for it and so will your mind. 8. Go for walks in your city. Pick up a book and go someplace outdoors where you can read in the winter sun. Explore your city on foot. Stop by tea stalls alone and pick conversations with random strangers over chai/ filter coffee. Compile your favourite music sounds in a playlist and listen to it on loop. 9. Make your bed. Once a week, wipe away all the dust and spread fresh sheets. Keep your favourite books where you can see them. Do the same with old grudges. 10. Plan a date that doesn't involve chugging shots or a fancy dinner. Go out in the winter sun and organize a day picnic. Take your favourite book, a sheet, chilled beer and some finger sandwiches. If there's no one else to come with you, do it alone. You'd be surprised how much time you have in the day. © Thinkstock/Getty Images 11. Be grateful. Say thanks for the things you have. For the warm food on your table, for the warm bed you sleep in, for the wonderful family you have, for the job that challenges you ever day. 12. Set apart a small amount as travel fund each day. Even if you don't have any immediate plans, making them anyway is reason enough to be happy. Planning for things you like gives you instant happiness and immense hope. It's a way of showing yourself a light at the end of a tunnel. Happiness is no rocket science. Rocket science is easier. The secret to happiness is so simple, obvious and out there, we often miss it. We dismiss it as clichéd and preachy, and lose faith easily. But if there's one thing that happiness relies on, it's faith. If you have to keep one thing, choose faith and keep at it. Do one simple thing every day and by the end of the month, you'd have achieved a much bigger thing. By the end of a lifetime, you'd have led a happy life.

Mirabai Chanu: The Manipur Lass Who Brought Weightlifting Back Into Public Consciousness

Often labelled as 'delicate' and 'weak' with the ever-increasing disparity in wages highlighting their plight which is further marred by the lack of fanfare and recognition, the success stories of Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami in cricket, Saina Nehwal and PV Sindu in badminton and Mary Kom and Sarita Devi in boxing goes on to show that women are not just fighting against all odds, but have also shunned the naysayers by proving their mettle in male-dominated sports. On 29 November, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu became the latest addition to this group of spirited Indian sportswomen who are hell-bent on changing the country's perception about women's sports. Goosebumpsð®ð³ð®ð³ð®ð³!#MirabaiChanu U made every Indian proud by winning Goldðin World Weightlifting Championship..Congratsðð Your achievement will inspire millions of young girlsðª http://pic.twitter.com/GnbymXeiid — Maj Surendra Poonia (@MajorPoonia) November 30, 2017 Standing on the podium with a gold medal around her neck and seeing the Indian tricolour flying high after overwhelming tournament-favourite Thunya Sukcharoen in California, Chanu was an embodiment of success - achieved on the back of great perseverance, hardwork and sheer will - giving a desperate shot in the arm to Indian weightlifting. What a fantastic day for #Indian sport! Huge congratulations to Saikhom Mirabai Chanu for winning the #Gold at the 2017 World Weightlifting Championship ðªððð #Champion #Superstar http://pic.twitter.com/hOhFKa9Ems — Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) November 30, 2017 Ending her country's wait of 22 years, the Manipuri weightlifter etched her name in history as the first Indian in over two decades and only the second overall to bag a World Championships gold in weightlifting. India's more-popular weightlifter Karnam Malleswari had bagged gold medals in the competition back in 1994 and 1995 respectively. Competing in the women's 48kg category, the 23-year-old lifted a combined weight of 194kg - 85kg in snatch and 109kg in clean and jerk - which was just one kg over the best attempt of the tournament favourite from Thailand, but good enough to cause a big upset. Congratulations to Saikhom #MirabaiChanu for lifting Gold at the World Weightlifting Championship and creating a World record. Entire nation is proud of http://you.pic.twitter.com/JpBEetHVmT — Naveen Jindal (@MPNaveenJindal) November 30, 2017 But, Chanu's triumphant outing in the US is not about national pride, records and fanfare; in fact it's much more than that. Hers was a campaign aimed at finding her lost vigour and overcoming the demons of past failures notably the horrific 2016 Rio Olympics. After claiming the national record in the women's 192kg category from her idol Kunjarani Devi in the run-up to the Olympic Games, Chanu witnessed a disastrous debut at the grandest stage of all. With a bout of nerves getting the better of her, the young weightlifter could only manage to successfully lift just one of her six attempts - three in the snatch and three in the clean and jerk category. Reuters Out of the 12 lifters in the women's 48kg category in Rio, she was one of the two participants who did not finish (DNF) the event. Her dreams were shattered, years of hardwork in training camps came to naught and India's struggle in women's weightlifting took centre stage. But, Manipur is famous for producing athletes who don't believe in giving up, Mary Kom is a prime example and Chanu proved no different. Learning from her mistakes, she continued to believe in herself and so did her coaches and selectors. As her training resumed after the Rio horror, Chanu was reminded of her struggles that included the long hours of cycling from her home to a weightlifting centre that sparked her love for the sport. At times, she was told how much the country had invested in her at national camps and how everyone around continues to believe in her talent and potential. BCCL And, not so surprisingly, all the efforts - her own and those of selectors and coaches - have finally borne fruit at one of the prestigious tournaments in the world. Chanu has also broken free from the shadows of Kunjarani Devi and Karnam Malleswari as her achievement at the World Championships goes beyond her personal struggles and eventual glory. More importantly, in the bigger scheme of things, just like Mithali, Saina and Sindhu have inspired younger girls and fellow sportswomen to come out of the shadows of their male counterparts, the Manipur lass has undoubtedly given Indian weightlifting a shot in the arm by bringing the sport back into the collective public consciousness.

Elon Musk Destroys Flat Earthers With Just One Brutal Tweet

Flat Earthers just keep getting weirder and weirder with every passing day. For some reason, so many people who claim that the earth is flat have gained way too much attention in the past year or so. A lot of the credit can go to rapper B.o.B, who wanted to launch his own satellites into space to prove that earth really is flat, and then there was another guy last week who made headlines because apparently he was going to launch himself into space in a homemade rocket just to prove this ridiculous theory. But, there was one place you would have never expected to see any flat earth talks – Elon Musk's Twitter. And now, that has also happened because it's 2017 and nothing makes sense anymore. Don't worry though, it's not what you think; Elon Musk hasn't joined the dark side. The SpaceX founder, who has a bit of a vested interest in the shape of planets – since he wants to colonise them – and was just a little curious. Mars sky is the opposite of Earth Blue sunrise and sunset Red during the day https://t.co/RjmSZ98bCz — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 28, 2017 A couple of days ago, he replied to a picture of a Martian sunset taken by NASA's Curiosity rover with “Mars sky is the opposite of Earth, Blue sunrise and sunset, Red during the day.” Since he was in such a philosophical mood, he followed this tweet with one simple question – “Why is there no Flat Mars Society!?” Why is there no Flat Mars Society!? — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 28, 2017 Well, that's a valid question; we have to give that to him. Also, there's no one out there who is a bigger fan of Mars than him. And, if Earth can get so much attention and get a huge following over one conspiracy theory, then why can't the other planets. What have they done wrong? #MakeMarsFlatAgain — Catherine Q. (@CatherineQ) November 29, 2017 But, what he probably didn't expect was an actual answer from the official Twitter account of the Flat Earth Society, and it was a good one. After thanking him for the question, they had a very 'insightful' answer. Hi Elon, thanks for the question. Unlike the Earth, Mars has been observed to be round. We hope you have a fantastic day! — Flat Earth Society (@FlatEarthOrg) November 28, 2017 So, basically they're saying that Mars has been observed to be round, but earth hasn't. The thing that makes the reply even better, and more hilarious, is that they are dead serious. Musk probably had a big laugh after that reply. Even though they are absolutely wrong, at least they are polite and finished the tweet with “We hope you have a fantastic day!” Back in January, someone tweeted an illustration of the solar system with a flat earth and it's as ridiculous as you would expect it to be. Wouldn't they think all planets are flat? or is it just Earth? http://pic.twitter.com/cpIUVSz2zf — Ares Jett (@AresJett) January 14, 2017 Even Neil deGrasse Tyson‏ has some inputs. A Lunar Eclipse flat-Earther's have never seen. http://pic.twitter.com/HuApDwa85n — Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) November 26, 2017 Well, looks like a Flat Mars Society is coming soon. That's about as flat as it'll get ðð http://pic.twitter.com/dx3qzcCbHQ — ðCeltic ð (@Con_Shaunnery) November 29, 2017 All lives matter. Yeah! Equal rights for Martians! — Simon Manning (@_Simon_K) November 29, 2017 A humble request. Can you send of of those #FlatEarth folks up in space? — Chuck Dolishðºð¸ (@LordDolish) November 29, 2017

Meghan Markle To Undergo Rigorous SAS Military Training To Prepare For Her Life As A Royal

When Anne Hathaway was crowned as the princess of Genovia in the 2001 blockbuster 'Princess Diaries', we thought that such miracles are possible only in the parallel world of Hollywood, and the chances of such a thing happening in real life is like spotting a unicorn waving at cars while crossing a road. Anyway, the point is that something like this was unimaginable until Prince Harry announced his engagement with his long time girlfriend. Congratulations Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle on their engagement! His Royal Highness and Ms. Markle this afternoon visited Kensington Palace's Sunken Garden for a photocall to mark the happy news. http://pic.twitter.com/gEctA368ua — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) November 27, 2017 Prince Harry's love story is proof that fairy tales exist…even in the millennial world! And for those who think we are exaggerating, go and search the name of Meghan Markle and you will have your answer. So just like Anne Hathaway's on-screen life changed within a day, Meghan Markle too experienced something similar after she got engaged and is now all set to marry into the British royal family by 2018. © Twitter From opening briefcases on 'Deal Or No Deal' to playing senior paralegal Rachel Zane in American hit series 'Suits' and soon to become the 'royalty'; Markle has sure come a long way. © Universal Cable Productions In fact, recently, her on-screen fiancé Patrick J Adams congratulated Markle in the most hilarious way possible, which took no time to break the internet. She said she was just going out to get some milk... https://t.co/y7cnM0eC9D — Patrick J Adams (@halfadams) November 27, 2017 But, like people say “good things come at a price” the price here is to undergo a strict security training to ensure that she is prepared for even the most extreme emergency situations. According to a report published in The Independent, Prince Harry's future bride will undergo training with the SAS (Special Air Service), which will include learning to deal with terrifying scenarios, something that can be as extreme as being held hostage. © Reuters Alex Bomberg, former Royal Aide and CEO of Intelligent Protection International told The Independent, “If you can imagine her being put into a room, being treated as if she was a hostage, the room being stormed by the SAS, she will be put through that training.” In fact, Bomberg further said, “Diana and Charles went through that training. Pretty much every senior member of the royal family has been through that training. They would also receive training about how to behave without close protection i.e. what they might do if things go wrong.” © Wikimedia In fact, after becoming a part of the royal family after her wedding in May, she won't be able to roam around freely as she will have to be under round-the-clock protection. In other words, “her life now will be more of a regime.” Her life will now be charted out by the security unit to an extent that from her dentist to her hairdresser, every appointment will be taken care of with much precision. The couple will tie the knot in May next year at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Well, agreed that her life is going to be a lot more 'restrictive' and she may also not have the freedom to choose acting roles to her heart's desire; she is also going to be constantly under the radar and have every move monitored….but in the end, there is no price too big to pay when it comes to love. Even one's freedom.

5 Shows On Netflix That Will Make You Wonder If You Could Be The Parent Of A Criminal

Do you know you could give birth to the next serial killer, rapist or murderer? According to a study, the total crime rate in India has gone up by 26.7 per cent between 2005 and 2016, and it mostly starts at home. Don't believe us? Netflix may be of some help here. T.V. series like '13 Reasons Why', 'Ozark', 'The Sinner', 'Mindhunter' and even 'Riverdale' shed light on how up bringing has a significant part to play in the shaping of a youngling's character, especially in the case if deviant behaviour. Let's start with 'Mindhunter'. Every single convict interviewed for the purpose of understanding criminal psychology, some how trails back to the criminal's relationship with his mother. Jerry Brudos's mother derides him for his fetish of women's footwear translating to cross-dressing, Edmund Kemper's mum thinks he is a freak because of his size and would tell him that he would never have the affection of women because he was like his father (the parents were separated) and Monte Rissell's ma not only allowed him to grow without boundaries but his step dad would beat him to pulp, much like in the case of Richard Speck. Did the parents know they were raising serial killers? Of course not! While one can be born with psychological disorders because of chemical imbalances, it can't be denied that the criminal condition worsens with impact from an environment that is not conducive to personality development. The fact that two out of the five subjects interviewed confess that they probably would've grown up to be better human beings if they had grown with their fathers, also needs to be accounted for. A balance of affection and boundaries is imperative to minimising possibility of deviancy in children. The approach to bringing up children need also be realistic. In 'The Sinner', for instance, Cora Tinneti's mother is religiously superstitious in an obsessive way. She holds Cora's actions responsible for the health of terminally ill sister's health. That is why Cora murdering Frankie Beaumont doesn't come as a shocker if she at a very young age displays "deviancy" by eating a whole chocolate bar thinking that her hedonistic act would kill her sister. She does that to punish her mother for constantly nagging and depriving her. When the psychiatrist asks her what she would tell her 13-year-old self, she says "Run"-- away from the environment that would push her to make terrible life choices, starting at home. Cora even indulges in late night sexual escapades with JD because feeding her sexuality is a sin according to her mother-- she has not been educated about it from a realistic point of view, making her run to the first guy who appears to free her from her mother's binds. Catching her father intimately involved with the neighbour also triggers her first sexual experience, spurring her repressed impulses to come out in an unhealthy way. © Netflix Another classic example is Betty Cooper's over-controlling mother in 'Riverdale' , and is most likely the reason behind her "Dark Betty" split personality manifestations. Perhaps Betty is just a regular teen with a proportioned black and white personality but her domineering mother causes the black to be repressed, which when surfaces is not only an appalling sight but may even turn fatal for her or people around her in the future. © Netflix But why have we taken '13 Reasons Why' into consideration here? Aren't Hannah Baker's parents loving and supportive, model parents, if you will? Hate to disappoint you, but they aren't. Any parent assuming that their child is strong enough to get through dark times in their formative years is an ignorant parent. Children are sensitive to their parents' turmoil and don't want to add to it. When Hannah's parents lose their business and move, they get so caught up in trying to restart their lives that they forget to dive deep into the life of their seemingly strong daughter. Eventually she succumbs. © Netflix 'Ozark' is, some how, the best example for ideal parenting but also the worst. Charlotte and Jonah are told the reality about their parents' money laundering business and they are even initiated into it. Their parents make sure that they are aware and protected. But that's what leads Jonah to gut animals and pick up a gun. He does it for survival. He even asks his father how laundering is done. Full marks for communication and bonding but what happens when both children go out into the real world and propagate the illegal work their parents started? Does that make them good human beings? Does that make their parents, good parents? © Netflix That's one question looming over the heads of all modern day parents. That's why it's the right time to ask yourself, are you fit to be a parent? Are you fit to raise a child in this world? Do you think you could give birth to the next serial killer, rapist, murderer?

15 Quotes That Prove Even Real Men Can Fall In Love

Are you a real man? As vague and subjective that may sound, the definition of 'real man' depends on how he treats people around him. Especially how he treats the woman he is with. Here are some gripping and overwhelming quotes that define the man you should be. Do you relate with either one of these? Or all of these for that matter? (1) Because sometimes emoting how you feel makes you who you are. (2) Maybe she will find her strength with your strength (3) If you can keep your woman happy, you can possibly do anything you want (4) Being a coward is for weaklings. Are you a weakling? (5) If she's a keeper, you don't need to look around for another. (6) Stand up and face what you NEED to face. (7) Are you a boy or a man? The real difference lies in your behaviour. (8) Chivalry is still alive, if you don't let it die. (9) Make her shed that weight off. (10) A controlling man is a deep seeded coward. Are you a coward? (11) You can only show her the multiple ways you can love her by loving yourself an equal amount. (12) She's your strength, as you are hers. (13) Be an honest man. The rest will follow. (14) Are you capable of loving a fierce independent woman? (15) Communication is the key to a successful relationship.

5 Times Royals Married People Of Common Descent & Proved Fairytales Do Exist In Real Life

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding news continues to raise eyebrows and the development is yet to sink in for many. The real life princess story is quite movie-like actually. A beautiful actress falls in love with a man from a royal family, Cupid takes aim and the rest is history. Well, this is proof that royals can fall for commoners and their relationship can be a fairytale as well. We list out 5 such alliances when the two worlds united: 1. Grace Kelly and Rainier III- The beautiful American actress gave up her acting career when she decided to marry Rainier III, the Prince of Monaco in 1956. Their tale began at the Cannes Film Festival, eyes met, and love happened. © popsugar 2. Kate Middleton and Prince William- Kate and William fell in love when they were in college. They then had a high profile wedding and are blessed with two gorgeous kids. © extratv 3. Rania Al-Yassin and King Abdullah II of Jordan- Rania was leading a successful career and worked with many big companies before she was smitten by King Abdullah II of Jordan in 1993. The couple got married and she was declared the queen of his heart and Jordan, of course. © Pinterest 4. Daniel Westling and Princess Victoria of Sweden- This is one 'filmy'affair, if I may call it. The gorgeous princess met her now husband in the gym, because he was her gym trainer! Destinies aligned and the couple got married in 2010. © zimbio 5. Sofia Helqvist and Prince Philip of Sweden- Sofia was a commoner but a well known face on TV as a model and actress. Prince Philip, who is Princess Victoria's brother fell for the wonderful lady and married her in 2015. © people If you dream about becoming a king or queen someday then have hope. Yeah, you just need a person of royal descent to fall in love with you, that's all.

Blogger Nikhil Kandhari On His Best Beard Phase & How Growing One Has Changed His Life

Right now, blogger-ly known as 'I AM NKHL', Nikhil is probably downing a few beers with his buds—in Bandra, Mumbai or in and around the coolest hangs. This Saturday, he'd possibly be spinning some tunes at an upmarket pub, making the indie girls and townies groove alike. Yet, hungover as hell, the next morning, he'd be shooting his next, big sartorial series for the blog. Clearly, a juggling maverick of sorts, Kandhari lives the life of the first season of any TV series—eventful, exciting and full of twists. But amidst his trickery of joking with time, his tryst with the beard is our pick of the day. Robust, tamed and cutting his cheekbones right; there's something that gets you to notice it in public (and on his dope Instagram). Looks like, he has a zen view of what the grooming gods do. So, for our second edition of '30 Days 30 Beards', he lays down his relationship with his buddy ol' pal, the beard. © MensXP, Wardrobe Partner: Park Avenue Do you think beards are overrated? There's a reason why women say, 'Beards make men more attractive'. You either go hard or go home (without a score). How has growing a beard changed your life? Well, in a hell lot of ways—I look older than usual, feel more confident, and it has also brought the women closer to me. Besides, a lot of other things, of course (lol). What made you grow it in the first place? Name one man who doesn't want to look good? And then, a man who doesn't want to grow a beard (at least once in life). Do women dig the beard or clean shaven men? Besides my mom, every girl loves the beard on me. Ever thought of a name for your beard? It's like a part of me, don't want to name it. © MensXP, Wardrobe Partner: Park Avenue Razor or trimmer? And how often... A trimmer, every two days. Beards need care. What's your regime like? I've been using Himalaya's Men Face and Beard wash for a while now. And I must say, it's one of the best products I've used. It has completely eliminated the need of a beard shampoo/conditioner in my life. Your best and worst beard phase? I'm basking in the glory of my best phase right now—fully blown and absolutely in control. However, my days back at college were the worst ones for me. I had no option but to go clean, the beard was literally that patchy. The razor/trimmer you're using right now? Philips' Norelco Beard Trimmer. © MensXP, Wardrobe Partner: Park Avenue According to you, the most iconic celebrity beard in the world? 'Hagrid' from Harry Potter. And the worst... Ryan Gosling, with a booming beard. He looks best with a stubble! Your next big beard move? I'm very orthodox when it comes to experimenting with my beard. But for now, I'd say, I really want to try my hand at maintaining a two/three-days-old stubble. --- Nikhil wears a camouflage-print bomber jacket, classic wash jeans, knitted turtleneck; all from Park Avenue. Photography: Manasi Sawant Creative Direction: Santu Misra Styling: Siddharth Batra Grooming: Jean Claude Biguine Production: Anand Pratap Singh Wardrobe Partner: Park Avenue

FBR extends deadline for filing of tax returns to Dec 15

KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the deadline to file annual income tax returns and wealth statements to December 15. The last date for filing the returns for 2016-17 was earlier announced to be November 30. All those whose annual salary from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 is above Rs.400,000 are required to file their income tax returns along with wealth statement for the financial year 2016-17. Usually, the FBR extends the deadline many times a year to encourage people to file their returns.

PM rejects US claims regarding presence of terrorist safe haven in Pakistan

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday categorically rejected the United States? claims of the presence of terrorist safe havens in Pakistan. Photo: Geo News file KARACHI: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday categorically rejected the United States? claims of the presence of terrorist safe havens in Pakistan. ?Terrorist groups are present in Afghanistan, not Pakistan,? Abbasi said while speaking to foreign magazine. He said that while the government of Pakistan is taking indiscriminate action against all terrorist groups, terrorists have continued to conduct attacks from Afghanistan. ?Terrorist attacks are being conducted from Afghanistan, not Pakistan,? Abbasi stressed. ?We have identified terrorist bases in Afghanistan.? He also observed that negotiations between the Afghan government and Taliban are necessary to establish peace in the country. ?We are ready to fully cooperate in [these] negotiations,? he said, adding that Pakistan has twice taken initiative but the efforts were ?sabotaged.? The top US general in Afghanistan General John Nicholson on Tuesday had said that he had not seen a change in Pakistan?s support for militants so far, despite President Donald Trump taking a tougher line against Islamabad. US officials have long been frustrated by what they see as Pakistan?s reluctance to act against groups such as the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network, which launch attacks on neighbouring Afghanistan. In August, Trump outlined a new strategy for the war in Afghanistan, chastising Pakistan over its alleged support for Afghan militants. Pak behaviour towards Taliban unchanged despite Trump statement, says US general 'We are hoping to work together with the Pakistanis going forward to eliminate terrorists who are crossing' General Nicholson accused Pakistan of harbouring ?agents of chaos? and providing safe havens to militant groups waging an insurgency against a US-backed government in Kabul. Pakistan's military, however, had brushed off the speculation that Trump could signal a stronger line against Islamabad, insisting the country has done all it can to tackle militancy. "Let it come," Major General Asif Ghafoor ? the Pakistani military spokesman ? had told reporters. "Even if it comes... Pakistan shall do whatever is best in the national interest." The US official expressed hope that relations between the two countries could improve after a kidnapped US-Canadian couple and their three children were freed in Pakistan in October after the couple was abducted in neighbouring Afghanistan. ?We have been very direct and very clear with the Pakistanis... we have not seen those changes implemented yet,? General John Nicholson told reporters. ?We are hoping to see those changes, we are hoping to work together with the Pakistanis going forward to eliminate terrorists who are crossing? the border, Nicholson said. He added that he believed that senior Taliban leaders were based in Pakistan, while the lower level leadership was in Afghanistan. Pakistan has repeatedly said that it has done a great deal to help the United States in tracking down terrorists.

Pakistan IT export reaches $2.9 bn

ISLAMABAD: Due to government incentives to IT and Information Technology Enabled Services (ITeS) industry Pakistan?s IT exports have grown to an estimated $2.9 billion, which includes Pakistani freelancers estimated to be earning more than $300 million annually. While talking to APP, Managing Director Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) Iftekhar Shah said, government incentives to the IT & ITeS industry include income tax exemption on IT exports till June 2019, 100% foreign ownership, 100% repatriation of capital and dividends, 3-year tax exemption for IT startups, and tax holiday for venture capital funds till June 2024. He said, Pakistani domestic market for IT & IT Products and services is also strong, estimated at over $ 500 million in annual revenue, and growing rapidly. Total annual revenue of Pakistan?s IT Industry is nearing $3.5 billion. Pakistan?s IT industry has demonstrated positive growth trends for the last four ten with 100% growth in export earnings, he added. He told APP that, Several long term projects are in the pipeline for the benefit of the IT industry which aim to focus on infrastructure development, fostering innovation/entrepreneurship, adoption of ICT in public sector as well as domestic demand generation for the ICT products/services. Incentives, programs and projects geared towards IT industry growth are closely monitored and regularly reviewed to ensure that maximum benefits accrue to the growth of the local ICT Industry, he added. He mention that, PSEB also organises trade delegations comprising of Pakistani IT companies in order to enhance collaboration and cooperation between Pakistan?s IT sector and relevant entities in countries important to Pakistan?s IT sector. Ministry of Information Technology & Telecom, through PSEB under the leadership of Minister of Information Technology and Telecom, Anusha Rehman, is making all possible efforts to facilitate IT companies in order to multiply the exports of IT products and services from Pakistan and to attract FDI towards the local IT Industry. The Minister has constituted a multi-stakeholder High Level Executive Council Forum (ECF) to work on how to increase IT & ITES exports as part of the government economic growth agenda and has stressed upon PSEB authorities to complete all running projects within stipulated time period with complete efficacy to boost IT exports.

Pakistan is democratic because of PPP: Bilawal

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that there is democracy in Pakistan due to PPP while addressing press conference on party's golden jubilee on Thursday. Commenting on the country?s political situation, he said that the conditions had deteriorated. ?There was an abject surrender of state, freedom of press was strangled.? Such conditions prove to be ?very demoralizing? for the youth especially, he remarked, adding, ?we [the youth] are dejected by the politicians and the opposition.? On PPP completing 50 years, Bilawal shared that this is not just an opportunity for celebration but introspection as well. ?We have to see what our weaknesses have been and learn from our mistakes.? Alongside, the party members must also focus on the ways they can make deceased party leaders such as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and Nusrat Bhutto proud, he remarked.

Do not create hatred towards institutions, says Chandio

HYDERABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party leader Maula Bux Chandio on Thursday advised the PML-N to not create hatred towards national institutions. Chandio, speaking at a public even in Sindh's second largest city, also said that he was not in favour of calling the Army during the Faizabad sit-in, but accepted the Army needs to be called and plays a positive role during times of national crisis. He asked where was the government during the botched operation to clear the vital junction in the federal capital, as all government ministers had different statements and did not seem to be on the same page. Referring to PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif, Chandio said he has been defeated. He added that the PML-N needs the PPP to survive and when the PML-N needs help, they always turn towards the PPP. Chandio also claimed that 'someone' had advised him to join the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf and added that there was no comparison between Imran Khan and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The PPP leader, referring to his party's golden jubilee, said the party has completed 50 years and "God willing will complete 100 years too".

7 Tips That Will Make Your Online Dating Profile Stand Out From The Rest

Are you fresh in the market, looking to scout for some potential partner suited to you? Setting up an online dating profile is similar to setting up an impressive resume to entice a potential employee. You are after all, marketing your potential and seeking validation. To nail the perfect dating profile, you need something catchy and relatable to your future partner. Some common catchphrases may not work for your profile so you have to put out the best possible version of you online. You don't have to be Robert Downey Jr. on your online dating profile but you can still floor the ladies if you keep these pointers in mind! Don't Be A Cliché Be a little more innovative with your profile and don't use the same old lingos and jargon. Like using 'looking for the girl of my dreamzzz' is a bit redundant and overused. Let's face it; the girl of your dreams doesn't exist because dreams are fictional. So look for someone more real, by being a bit more creative. For instance check this guy's profile out and draw some serious inspiration! Be Mindful Of Your Spellings And Grammar Remember how you were asked to revise your papers after you finished writing a test, before you submitted them? Yeah, do the same thing here. Revise what you have written on your profile and check if you've made any silly spelling or grammatical mistakes. Everyone dislikes a bad speller or bad grammar! Replace Crass With Class Be proper in your sentence formation and don't be crass! Sometimes you may mistake what's crass for what's cool. Well it's not! Being crass doesn't let people take you seriously. Having a good command over your language skills does. Be 'Punny' And Witty Let's face it, women love a man with good humour and great wit. Witty and funny is the new sexy. Puns are never too overrated so if you can sparingly use them, then do so. A funny and witty profile is not only boring but it breaks the monotony of having to go through all the other boring profiles. Don't Make Your Profile Purely About *** Even if you're there just for ***, don't scream *** through your online dating profile. There are other ways to get the kinda attention you want and you can be a bit subtle about it. If you're there purely for hook-up purposes, make your intentions clear and don't be crass about it! If you're sleazy on your online dating profile, you aren't getting laid for sure! Don't Brag Women hate men who brag about their assets or talents, especially on an online dating platform. Brag away all you like to your friends etc. but when you set up your profile make sure you're as humble as you can be. Showing off the cars you drive, or the expensive vacations you take or even the mansion you live in isn't gonna save your singledom! Be Real This is the most important point to keep in mind, after being eloquent. Be real and true to who you are. Put the real you out there, if you're looking for a serious relationship. Don't make up stuff about yourself that isn't true because in all honesty, it isn't fair to the other person. If you don't like who you are, then maybe don't set up a dating profile online? There are many other things you can keep in mind before setting up an online dating profile but if you adhere to these 7 crucial pointers, your success rate online is definitely gonna skyrocket!

Back From The Dead, Umar Akmal Hits Trolls For A Six After Rumours Of His Demise

Umar Akmal burst onto the international cricket circuit oozing class, and drawing the highest praise from experts. But, for someone who was initially dubbed as the next big thing in the Pakistani team, Akmal has surely failed to live up to the billing. A series of inconsistent performances saw him lose the national contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). And, earlier this year, his name alongside fast bowler Mohammad Sami also cropped up in the alleged spot-fixing case in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). © Reuters But, the troublesome times for Akmal don't seem to end there. Struggling to mark his return in international cricket, Akmal has been working hard and his contribution for Lahore Whites in the National T20 Cup is a testimony to that. However, it wasn't enough for the social media trolls who began circulating the rumour of his apparent death. New post (Umar Akmal declared dead on social media, Pakistani cricketer assures fans ...) has been published on - https://t.co/piib7uXS4f http://pic.twitter.com/3BaUgR5RuX — VisionMp (@VisionMpbhopal) November 29, 2017 Morphed images of the Pakistani cricketer thronged social media where the trolls claimed that he died during the recent riots in Islamabad. Many fans fell prey to the fake news and expressed their shock over Akmal's alleged death. Allhamdulillah I am safe n perfectly fine in Lahore all news coming from social media is fake And Insha Allah I will join #National20cup2017 #Semifinale — Umar Akmal (@Umar96Akmal) November 27, 2017 And, after a lot of hue and cry, the Pakistani cricketer was compelled to break his silence and quash the rumours once and for all. Taking to Twitter, Akmal shared a short video to assure his fans that he was ok. The right-hander also claimed that he will be taking part in the National T20 Cup final against Lahore Blues on Thursday. http://pic.twitter.com/rmhfTOjE4N — Umar Akmal (@Umar96Akmal) November 28, 2017 The 27-year-old has not played for Pakistan since the ODI against Australia in Adelaide in January this year. He is currently out of the national side following his outburst against coach Mickey Arthur. Akmal was later found guilty of breaching three clauses of the player's code of conduct by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Meet Mohammed Bin Salman: The Super Powerful Heir To The Saudi Throne

Expensive designer dresses worn behind traditional abayas, vacations on the French Riviera, frolicking on private jets personalised to the tee, parties on luxury yachts worth millions, Saudi Arabia's royal families live a life of opulence sustained by the riches of their oil industry. They are worth billions of dollars and even in the time of austerity, buying a French chateau is considered absolutely normal. A life worth living, some would say. Purging The Old Guard © Reuters The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is currently ruled by King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, the 25th son of the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud. Ever since King Salman came into power two-years ago, he's systematically dealt with transgressions and established his own son Mohammed Bin Salman as the new crown king, making him first in line to the throne instead of his nephew, Mohammed bin Nayef. This single act by King Salman broke away from established norms of the Saudi royal family and made news all over the world. But since then, Mohammed Bin Salman like his father has proved that he's here to upend traditions without much regard for the senior guard and members of the Saudi Royal family. He is fiery and believes in wresting total control of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Recently, Mohammed bin Salman made news when he jailed many members of the royal family in an apparent bid to quash any resistance to his vision for the country. Opulence In The Time Of Austerity © Reuters But it's not just Mohammed Bin Salman's abrasive style that's made news; he's also brash when it comes to living a life that suits his taste. While stories of his copious lifestyle are protected and seldom released by the Saudi government, his love for yachts has been extensively covered. One of the stories that brought quite some media spotlight on the new crown prince went something like this: On a vacation in south of France, Prince Mohammed bin Salman couldn't help but notice a 440-foot yacht floating off the coast. He was so impressed by its size and beauty that he immediately sent his aides to procure the yacht for himself. The ship turned out to be 'The Serene', a Russian vodka tycoon Yuri Shefler's personal prized possession. The aide, not willing to disappoint the prince, quickly made an offer that the Russian couldn't refuse. The deal was done within hours as the prince shelled out approximately 500 million euros for the yacht. That evening, Prince Salman had dinner on the same yacht he spotted earlier in the day as the Russian owner moved out. This is the kind of lifestyle choices that Salman is known for. While it is incredibly impressive for someone worth billions of dollars, his impulsive decision making some critics believe has put the kingdom on the path of instability. One of the prime examples of his inexperience reflects in how he proceeded to hurriedly form a counterterrorism military alliance for a Saudi-led war in Yemen. That war, since he took over as the minister of defence, has cost the Kingdom billions of dollars and left thousands of women and children homeless in Yemen. Growth, Independent Of Oil © Reuters No matter then the inexperience he showed in handling the Yemen situation, Prince bin Salman is still being applauded for his vision for a new Saudi Arabia, one that is not dependent on it's Oil reserves. Recently, he presented a development plan titled Saudi Vision 2030. As discussion around his vision began (after he made a very impressive presentation), one of the commentators actually articulated what many in the room were actually thinking: “I have no doubt, your highness, that the project you have put forward is a dream that looks, at the same time, realistic and achievable. However, we will be facing a huge dilemma: You are still an energetic and active young prince who has a clear vision, and your explanation was detailed and convincing. But, on the other hand, I can portray the situation as if you are driving an old car with worn out tires and an old engine. Honestly, with such a car, I tell you that you cannot reach your destination on time. This is a worn-out administrative government that is more than 50 years old.” To this, bin Salman replied: “This car has to move, and if it doesn't, I will have to replace it with another one.” The commentator was Abdulrahman Al-Rashed from arabnews.com and the crowd present was actually impressed by his uncluttered vision and incredibly far-fetched but honest ambitions. Of all the vices Mohammed bin Salman is criticised for, aspiring for a modern kingdom independent of riches from oil reserves isn't one of them. Control On The Brink Of Dictatorship © Twitter Saudi Arabia for long has been ruled by corrupt officials and businessmen leading to sluggish economic growth but at the same time enhancing the incredibly opulent lifestyle of the royal families that are highly dependent on their oil reserves. This is why when Prince bin Salman jailed almost 200 senior officials, princes and officials almost 95% of them agreed to reach some settlement for their release. One Saudi Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, once considered a strong contender to the throne, recently paid USD 1 billion for his release from the Ritz-Carlton luxury prison. Mohammed Bin Salman's recent actions against Saudi elite show that he's here to break the status-quo and he won't shy away from taking bold decisions without letting go of his own wealth and consolidating power into a much more centralized government machinery. Even as the Saudi Kingdom, now invariably led by a new heir Mohammed bin Salman moves towards an oil-independent economy, the internal power struggle encompassing the battle between tradition and modernity might prove to be a little too much for the splurging royal heads.

PM Abbasi reaches Russia to attend SCO heads of government meeting

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi arrives in Russia ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi reached Russia on Thursday to participate in the 16th Meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at Sochi from November 30 to December 1. PM Abbasi is participating in the meeting on the invitation of Prime Minister of Russian Federation DA Medvedev, the Foreign Office of Pakistan said in a statement. It is the first SCO Heads of Government meeting that Pakistan will attend after assumption of full membership of the organisation in June this year. The meeting is mandated to focus on the strategy, prospects and priorities for the SCO?s developmental cooperation. Abbasi, along with his SCO counterparts, will participate in the SCO retreat being hosted by the Russian prime minister. [embed_video1 url=http://ift.tt/2zBw1Fe style=center] The retreat will be followed by a plenary session of CHG where the prime minister will deliver a statement. It is a historic day today, says PM as Pakistan joins SCO Pakistan, along with India, has become permanent member of SCO At the plenary, Abbasi will outline Pakistan?s commitment to SCO?s objectives, including fighting terrorism and extremism and its sincere interest in regional peace, stability and development. The meeting will close on a signing ceremony of decisions and a joint communiqué by the heads of the delegations. Abbasi will also hold important bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. The SCO now comprises eight member states, including Pakistan, China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It has four observer states: Iran, Afghanistan, Belarus and Mongolia, and six dialogue partners, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey. The SCO?s objectives include building mutual trust, equality, respect for cultural diversity and good-neighbourly relations. It aims to promote effective cooperation in the areas of political, security, trade, economy and social sectors. SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure contributes towards regional peace, security and stability.

The thinking behind Kim Jong Un's 'madness'

North Korea?s leader Kim Jong Un/File photo SEOUL: On an icy December day in 2011, North Korea?s new leader Kim Jong Un was accompanied by seven advisers as they escorted the hearse that carried his father, Kim Jong Il, through the streets of Pyongyang. None of the men remain with the young Kim. This October, he demoted the last of his father?s aides, both men in their nineties. They were among around 340 people he has purged or executed, according to the Institute for National Security Strategy, a think tank of South Korea?s National Intelligence Service (NIS). Kim, ?obviously a madman? in the eyes of US President Donald Trump, has completed a six-year transition to what the South calls a reign of terror. His unpredictability and belligerence have instilled fear worldwide: After he tested a ?breakthrough? missile earlier this week, he pronounced North Korea a nuclear power capable of striking the United States. But a closer look at his leadership reveals a method behind the ?madness.? At 33, Kim Jong Un is one of the world?s youngest heads of state. He inherited a nation with a proud history, onto which a socialist state had essentially been grafted by Cold War superpowers to create a buffer between Communist China and the capitalist South. Under Kim?s father, the economy was mismanaged, and the collapse of Communism in the Soviet Union eliminated an important source of support. Up to three million people starved. To consolidate a weak position, the young leader has been cultivating three main forces: military and nuclear power, a tacit private sector market economy, and the fear and adoration of a god. To this end, he has executed two powerful men and promoted one young woman ? Kim Yo Jong, his younger sister, who Korea-watchers say is also Kim?s chief propagandist. She is Kim?s only other blood relative to be involved in politics: His elder brother, Kim Jong Chol, was rejected by their father as heir. Over the five years to December 2016, Kim spent $300 million on 29 nuclear and missile tests, $180 million on building some 460 family statues, and as much as $1 billion on a party congress in 2016 ? including $26.8 million on fireworks alone, according to the Institute, which employs high-level defectors. ?Yes, he has replaced many top commanders and officials so easily and ruthlessly killed some of them, which could make you wonder if he?s sane,? said Lee Sang-keun, a North Korean leadership expert at the Institute of Unification Studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. ?But this is a historical way of governing that can put you in power for a long time.? Great leader In ancient days, Pyongyang was the capital of a mighty empire, Koguryo, the root of the modern word ?Korea.? Going back through history, the Great Leader concept is a blend of several ideas handed down through time: an almighty god, the Confucian worship of a parent, and a king with the Mandate of Heaven, according to Lee Seung-yeol, a senior researcher at the National Assembly Research Service in Seoul. Lee, a leading North Korea leadership researcher, said the state?s theory of succession means Kim the younger?s rise should have been completed while his father was alive: Kim?s father was anointed 20 years before he took over, giving him time to build allies and a leadership system. Kim Jong Un had just three years as leader-in-waiting. Born in 1984, he was third in line for power and a fractious, competitive child, according to Kenji Fujimoto, a Japanese chef who worked for the family and one of the few people to recount meetings with the young Kim. In his memoirs published in 2010, Fujimoto, who now runs a sushi restaurant in Pyongyang, said Kim once snapped at his aunt Ko Yong Suk for calling him ?Little General.? Kim wanted to be called ?Comrade General.? A soldier films North Korean soldiers, officers and high ranking officials attending a military parade marking the 105th birth anniversary of country's founding father Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang, North Korea, April 15, 2017/REUTERS When Kim Jong Il knew his young son would soon succeed him, researchers have said, the father took several measures to protect the boy. Lee said these included shifting the country?s power base to create rivalry between the elites so Kim the younger could play one group off against another. Kim Jong Il had declared the military the country?s supreme power ? a policy known as songun, which means ?military first.? At a party conference in 2010, he changed the setup so the military had to compete with the party administration for the leader?s favour. 'Poor man's weapon' Military strategy was the first thing Kim changed. His father had used the promise of nuclear disarmament as a bargaining chip for aid, and in February 2012, young Kim started in his father?s footsteps, promising to freeze North Korea?s nuclear program in return for food aid from the United States. But weeks later he changed tack, saying North Korea would fire a long-range rocket. ?The negotiations were carried on as the legacy of Kim Jong Il,? said Wi Sung-lac, a former South Korean envoy to talks in 2011 that contributed to the February deal. ?Since then his strategic thinking has shaped up.? In Kim?s view, Saddam Hussein of Iraq and Muammar Gaddafi of Libya were fatally weakened by not having nuclear weapons, North Korean media say. ?History proves that powerful nuclear deterrence serves as the strongest treasured sword for frustrating outsiders? aggression,? the official KCNA news agency said in an editorial in January 2016. North Korea is racing to achieve a nuclear deterrent because the state feels threatened, worrying particularly that Kim may face a fate like Gaddafi. The Libyan leader agreed in 2003 to eliminate his weapons of mass destruction; in 2011, he was killed by rebels that the United States and its allies had supported. Months after Kim?s accession, North Korea updated its constitution to declare itself a nuclear weapons state. One leading pallbearer at Kim Jong Il?s funeral was Ri Yong Ho, Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People?s Army. Kim sacked him in July 2012. South Korean intelligence later confirmed that Ri had been executed. By December 2012, North Korea had carried out another, successful, rocket test. In 2013, Kim outlined a new policy: The ?byungjin line,? or parallel development, to combine the nuclear buildup and economic growth. A nuclear deterrent is essential to that, says Thae Yong-ho, North Korea?s former deputy ambassador to London, who staged a high-profile defection to South Korea in 2016. The threat of absolute destruction makes a nuclear bomb a ?poor man?s weapon? with which to tighten control of the country and ensure long-term rule, Thae said. ?Once he has assumed control of usable nuclear weapons, he has more room to allocate resources more flexibly, and allocate the military forces for civilian construction,? said Thae. 'Foolish dream' North Korea spends about a quarter of its GDP on defense: Russia?s President Vladimir Putin has said Kim Jong Un would have his people ?eat grass? rather than give up its nuclear program. But with a legacy of famine, Kim also says he wants to boost people?s prosperity. The former chef, Fujimoto, said that on one summer break from school in Switzerland in 2000, the young Kim was preoccupied with a visit to Beijing his father had made. ?Let?s talk,? Fujimoto recalled the future leader saying over drinks on his father?s private train. ?I hear from higher up that China seems to be succeeding on many fronts ? engineering, commerce, hotels, agriculture - everything,? Kim said. ?In many ways, don?t we need to take them as a model example for us?? In 2012, shortly after taking power, Kim went a small way to mimic reforms China made in the 1980s. Farmers were allowed to keep most of the harvest. State enterprises were given the right to buy and sell at market prices and to hire and fire workers. Private entrepreneurs and traders were encouraged to invest in state projects or with party and military entities. Kim also began to turn a blind eye to informal markets ? a force his father tried in vain to contain. Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un/File photo REUTERS That April, Kim addressed the nation - the first time in 17 years North Koreans had heard the voice of their leader. ?It is the party?s steadfast determination to ensure that the people will never have to tighten their belt again,? he said. Outsiders hoped the reform signaled a new political openness as Kim drove to promote the North in the world: In 2012 Antonio Razzi, an Italian senator for Forza Italia who calls himself the only Italian to have met the leader, said Kim had asked him to find training facilities for soccer players in Italy. ?I have talked with many (North Korean) local leaders,? Razzi said. ?They have no plan to attack anybody. North Korea is interested in nuclear only as a form of defense.? Kim worked to ensure the economic freedom would not unseat him. Also escorting his father?s funeral car in 2011 was Jang Song Thaek, an administrator at the vanguard of the reforms. He was married to Kim Jong Il?s sister, was a special envoy to China and had overseen a host of new Special Economic Zones all over the country. In December 2013, Jang was hauled out of the Politburo in front of the cameras and accused of plotting a coup. ?Jang dreamed such a foolish dream,? state media said, adding Jang hoped his reformist plans would help him ?get ?recognized? by foreign countries.? Jang was shot ?dozens of times? by an anti-aircraft gun and his remains removed with a flamethrower, according to South Korea?s National Intelligence Service (NIS) ? an account no one has confirmed. 'Development dictator' From that point on, Kim honed his personality cult. On the day Jang?s purge was announced, North Korea?s official daily the Rodong Sinmun unveiled a song dedicated to Kim Jong Un, titled ?We Know Nothing But You.? More were to follow. The next year, Kim also ordered school textbooks be revised to focus on idolization of himself and include images of nuclear weapons and missiles, according to the NIS-affiliated Institute for National Security Strategy. The idolization campaign kicked into high gear in 2016, focused on pop culture and youth: Kim?s chosen female singers, the Moranbong Band, staged a series of musical performances and plays calling for loyalty to the leader, while the Shock Brigade, a crew of young North Koreans in charge of major economic construction, produced about 1,200 poems and other literary works, the Institute said. ?He has linked his own legitimacy to improving the economic situation in the country,? said John Delury of Seoul?s Yonsei University. ?Kim Jong Un wants to become a development dictator.? At home, he casts himself as a bringer of plenty. In 2015, almost half the times he was photographed were at economic events, data from Seoul?s Unification Ministry shows. Only this year, as his weapons tests multiplied and met an angry response in the United States, have military appearances come back into prominence. Standing tearfully behind Kim Jong Un at their father?s funeral was his younger sister, 28-year-old Kim Yo Jong. On the same October day that Kim dropped the last two of his father?s aides, he included her in his Politburo. Kim Jong Chol, their elder brother, leads a quiet life in Pyongyang where he plays guitar in a band, according to former ambassador Thae. ?I think Kim Jong Un has been making good use of the existing system, while strengthening his power base and dictator regime in a very shrewd manner,? said Lee Su-seok, a research fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy.

Russia rejects US call to cut North Korea ties

Russia on Thursday rejected a US call to cut ties with North Korea in response to Pyongyang's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. "We see this negatively," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told journalists in the Belarusian capital Minsk, Russian news agencies reported. "We have repeatedly stated that the pressure of sanctions has been exhausted." He accused the United States of seeking to provoke Kim Jong-Un's regime and demanded to know whether Washington was plotting to destroy the isolated country. "It's as if the recent actions of the United States are consciously directed to provoke Pyongyang towards other radical actions," Russia's top diplomat said. "The Americans need to explain what they are aiming for. If they are looking for a reason to destroy North Korea, then they should say it straight and the American leadership should confirm it," Lavrov was quoted as saying. On Wednesday, Washington warned that North Korea's leadership will be "utterly destroyed" if war breaks out as it called on countries to cut all diplomatic and trade ties with North Korea. The latest threat came after North Korea tested its third ICBM, which it claimed was capable of striking anywhere in the United States. "If war comes, make no mistake: the North Korean regime will be utterly destroyed," US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said. US President Donald Trump derided Kim as a "sick puppy" and threatened "major" new sanctions. The Kremlin on Wednesday called the latest missile test a "provocative action" and appealed for calm on all sides. Russian President Vladimir Putin has emerged as one of the most strident voices against punishing Pyongyang, insisting that further sanctions and threats are "useless" against a regime that feels cornered. The United States earlier this year pressed for a full oil embargo on North Korea but dropped that demand following resistance from China and Russia.

Clarke says he should have retired after Hughes died

Clarke said he struggled badly after the death of his friend and teammate Phil Hughes/File photo SYDNEY: Former Australia captain Michael Clarke says he should have retired a year earlier than he did, admitting he struggled badly after the death of his friend and teammate Phillip Hughes. Clarke quit in 2015 after his 115th and final Test of the Ashes series against England and said he didn´t allow himself to grieve at the time. Hughes, who played 26 Tests, died from bleeding on the brain in November 2014 after being hit on the neck by a rising ball while batting in a domestic match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. "I shouldn´t have played another game. My career should have stopped then. It was too hard for me," Clarke told The Weekly Review on Thursday. "It took me a lot longer to grieve his loss than it should have, or that I would have liked. "I didn´t allow myself to grieve at the time because I had responsibility to his family, firstly, but then also as Australia´s cricket captain to my teammates and getting us back out onto the field." Clarke, who was a pallbearer at Hughes´ funeral and delivered an emotional eulogy to his "little brother", said that after he died, he felt fear for the first time while playing cricket. Clarke (right) with Phil Hughes (left) back in 2009 Clarke toured the West Indies in June 2015, which he said was a mistake. "Going to the West Indies was probably the worst tour of my life in regards to how emotional I was," he said. "I was there on my own. Unfortunately Kyly (his wife) couldn´t come because she was pregnant and we weren´t comfortable with her flying. "I had six weeks in the West Indies ... whatever we had on as a team during the day I would go back to my room every night and just cry myself to sleep." He said there were days when the pain of missing Hughes was still raw. "I still have days regularly where it´s heart-breaking. It´s still raw ... the emotion and pain is still there." Since his retirement, Clarke has commentated on cricket for Australia´s Nine Network. He also runs his own cricket academy among other business interests.

Bail cancellation case: IHC summons Capt (retd) Safdar on Dec 14

Capt (retd) Safdar being produced in the accountability court on October 9. Photo: Geo News ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's son-in-law, Capt (retd) Safdar, has been summoned by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on December 14. A two-member IHC bench is hearing the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)'s plea seeking the dismissal of bail granted to Safdar, a member of the National Assembly, by the accountability court hearing corruption cases against the Sharif family. As the hearing went under way today, NAB's deputy prosecutor general informed the bench that the accountability court issued on October 2 non-bailable warrants for Safdar, after which he was arrested and produced in court on October 9. The NAB official contended that the accountability court did not have the authority to release Safdar on bail, and pleaded that the court's order rejecting their request to send him to Adiala Jail be rescinded. IHC seeks detailed court order on Capt (retd) Safdar's release on bail NAB has challenged accountability court's order accepting Safdar's bail and ordered his release from NAB custody Justice Aamer Farooq, who heads the bench, remarked that Safdar will have to be summoned to court since NAB seeks the cancellation of his bail. The IHC then summoned the former premier's son-in-law on December 14 and adjourned the hearing. On November 3, NAB challenged the accountability court's order granting bail to Safdar in the Avenfield properties case. Safdar was taken into custody by NAB officials after he and his wife Maryam arrived in Islamabad from London to attend the corruption hearing against them on October 9. NAB petitions IHC against Capt (retd) Safdar's bail in corruption case Safdar was granted bail after accountability court had issued non-bailable warrants for his arrest in Avenfield properties case The court had issued non-bailable warrants against him after he had been a no-show in the previous three hearings of the case, filed by NAB in light of the Supreme Court's July 28 judgment in the Panama Papers case. On October 9, the court approved Maryam and Safdar's bail and ordered them to submit surety bonds worth Rs5 million each. Safdar, who was produced in court by NAB officials after spending the night in custody, was also directed to take the court's permission before leaving the country from now on.

Note 8 Vs Pixel 2: Why The Galaxy Note 8 Is Still Our Favourite Phone

I love smartphones. I love them for their functionality and features that make these gadgets almost as powerful as an entry-level laptop. I love how they look and I love how they are getting larger and can still fit in my pocket. Smartphones can now last an entire day, take amazing pictures, recharge faster than ever and multi-task in a way that only makes our lives easier. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is one of those phones that has left me awestruck. It is still my favaourite Android smartphone this year and there are many reasons that solidify my opinion. It can double up and a mini computer to do office work and it is also my go-to device for reading comic books. The smartphone has a spectacular display that cannot be matched by any Android smartphone and it even has a headphone jack. Many people will argue that the Pixel 2 is a great smartphone, but in my opinion, it still lacks a lot of features that make it the second best Android smartphone out there. The Pixel 2 is the Galaxy Note 8's strongest competitor and we are going to list down features that make the Note 8 a better phone than Google's flagship offering. 1. S Pen © Samsung The biggest advantage Samsung has over the Pixel 2 is the inclusion of a stylus that makes the experience much more fun. The stylus is great for artists to create artwork that can be shared on demand or it can be used to take notes down even when the screen is off. You can even animate your handwriting and share it as a GIF across all social media platforms and instant messaging platforms. The Google Pixel 2 does not offer any support for a stylus. 2. Display © MensXP The display design on the Note 8 is revolutionary and also far more visually appealing. It sports a 6.3-inch infinity display that has no side bezels and very narrow bezels at the top and bottom. The Note 8 also has one of the nicest, sharpest and vivid displays on any smartphone. 3. More RAM and Storage © Samsung The Note 8 offers more RAM than the Pixel 2, however, that doesn't make much of a difference due to the different operating systems. The Pixel 2 runs stock Android Oreo and does not require more than 4GB of RAM, however, the internal storage options disappointed us. The Pixel 2 XL does not offer any microSD support which gives the Note 8 a huge advantage over Google's phone. 4. Wireless Charging © Samsung Even Apple has finally adopted wireless charging into their smartphone but the Google Pixel 2 is still lagging behind. There is no support for wireless charging on Google's handset and that gives the Note 8 an upper edge over it. Wireless charging is a convenient method to charge and once you start using it, it's tough to go back to a cable. 5. Samsung Pay Is Everywhere © Samsung We live in India and Samsung is pay is virtually available at every store that uses a card machine that has NFC support. There are more retail outlets that accept Samsung pay and is a convenient way to make payments for groceries, petrol or even drinks at a bar. You can even add third-party mobile wallets such as Paytm to make it the one-stop-app for your digital payments. 6. It has a headphone jack © Samsung The removal of the headphone jack was probably the stupidest move by smartphone companies simply because it wasn't required. Audio quality from a 3.5mm headphone jack is always going to be superior to Bluetooth wireless headphones and the Pixel 2 XL loses a big point here. In fact, Google didn't even launch the Pixel Buds in India and you will always find yourself either charging a wireless headset or experiencing disconnection issues. The Galaxy Note 8 has a headphone jack and is one the pivotal reasons why I find the Note 8 better than the Pixel 2. 7. Samsung DeX © MensXP Smartphones are used for communicating, editing images and taking pictures of your surroundings. However, there are times when you need access to a bigger screen to do things you cannot easily do on a smartphone. Samsung DeX is a brilliant accessory that effectively turns the Note 8 into a desktop computer. It can be used for making conference calls, editing documents and making presentations. It's quite apparent that Samsung's Galaxy Note 8 has an edge over Google's Pixel 2 and we are waiting to see how Google takes their smartphones to the next level. Until then, the Galaxy Note 8 is probably the best Android smartphone available to buy today.