Is timing everything?
Scheduling messages will be a thing
| KHI: Iftar 6:31 PM, Sehri: 5:43AM | LHR: Iftar 5:56PM Sehri 5:15AM | ISB: Iftar 5:59PM, Sehri: 5:20AM | PSH: Iftar 6:05PM, Sehri: 5:26AM | UET: Iftar 6:27PM, 5:44AM |
Hi lazy Sunday, the 4th of Ramzan and a big hello to our new readers. So happy to have you with us, Vasila, Noor, Shahbaz and others.
As we all settle into Ramzan’s flow, the news doesn’t really slow down.
Last night, Pakistan hit seven terrorist camps in Afghanistan, a Pakistani-Canadian PhD scholar went missing and X is deeply concerned, chalo jee, the US Ambassador to Israel pretty much wants to give Israel the Middle East and I don’t know how I feel about the WhatsApp ‘schedule messages’ feature. Would you use it?
Sleep in today and see you all tomorrow!
Pakistan has struck seven terrorist camps along the Pak-Afghan border, saying the move was a direct response to the recent suicide attacks in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu. The government says it has solid evidence that TTP (Fitna al Khwarij) and the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP) militants were operating from Afghan soil and carrying out attacks in Pakistan during Ramzan. Islamabad says it wants peace, repeatedly told the Afghan Taliban to take action, but won’t compromise on citizens’ security.
A Canadian PhD scholar, Hamza Ahmad, has allegedly gone missing in Lahore after leaving his DHA Phase 10 residence in a cab late at night, with police registering a kidnapping case and saying investigations are ongoing. The story went viral on X yesterday, with rights groups including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan raising alarm, urging authorities to trace him immediately, as activists call the incident a worrying sign for academic freedom.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee ignited international backlash after telling US Commentator Tucker Carlson that Israel is land “God gave, through Abraham,” adding, “It would be fine if they [Israel] took it all.” Several Arab countries condemned the remarks: Saudi Arabia called them “reckless,” Jordan termed it an assault on regional sovereignty, while Egypt, Kuwait and Oman warned the comments violated international law. Such territory would include modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and parts of Saudi Arabia. The US ambassador later tried to walk back the statement, saying it was “somewhat of a hyperbolic statement”.
England Skipper Harry Brook says it would be a “shame” if Pakistani players are sidelined from The Hundred, the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) 100-ball domestic white-ball competition, after reports that Indian-owned franchises may overlook them in next month’s auction due to India-Pakistan political tensions. With Pakistani players barred from the Indian Premier League since 2009, critics including former England captain Michael Vaughan, are urging the ECB to step in and make sure politics doesn’t dictate team selections.
WhatsApp is rolling out a built-in “scheduled messages” feature, allowing users to write a message and have it scheduled to send at a chosen future time with no extra apps needed. Unlike paid Business Broadcast tools, this feature will be free for everyone, with users able to view, edit or delete queued messages before delivery in both personal and group chats.
Austria is turning Hitler’s birthplace into a police station in a bid to “neutralise” the site, with officers set to move in later this year. Some say the move will stop it becoming a far-right shrine, with many Hitler supporters visiting it every year. But locals are split, calling it a “double-edged sword,” with critics arguing the space could’ve been used instead for education or peace-building. (It is also costing $24-million to rebuild).
You had a dream last night and today, a part of it will come true.
Looking for a laugh and gutsy enough for an open mic night? Karachi is having one this week so do check it out for some good laughs.
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