The Taliban has reduced the salaries of female government employees who were forced to stay at home following the group’s takeover in 2021.
According to the Ministry of Finance, women who do not attend office will now receive a monthly salary of 5,000 Afghani.
Although the Taliban government had banned women from working in offices, they had continued to pay their salaries. Prior to the Taliban’s takeover, administrative positions in ministries could earn salaries of approximately 20,000 Afghani, but many of these were reduced to 15,000 Afghani after the regime change.
Women allowed to work in segregated sectors such as government hospitals or schools will continue to receive their respective salaries according to their positions. The changes in salaries will take effect from July.
The vast world of the video platform TikTok often captivates users, making them lose track of time as they scroll through content. However, for a student from Georgia, the social media platform changed her life forever.
Elene Desadze, from Georgia, was scrolling through TikTok as usual when she stumbled upon a profile that looked exactly like her. This profile belonged not to someone who had stolen her picture, but to a girl named Ana Pancholidze, who bore an uncanny resemblance to her. Both girls were astonished by the striking similarity.
This unexpected online connection took a life-altering turn when DNA test results confirmed that Elene and Ana were indeed identical twins. They had been separated by a human trafficking ring.
These sisters were among thousands of Georgian children who fell victim to a child trafficking scandal years ago. The gangs involved would deceive mothers into believing their newborns had died at birth, only to then steal the babies and sell them to adoptive parents within and outside the country.
One of the sisters recounted how, upon seeing her twin, she didn’t hesitate to call Ana and ask why they looked so alike. She said that their Facebook friendship quickly turned into a personal bond, though they never suspected they could be long-lost twins.
“We felt a special connection,” she shared. “We mustered the courage to uncover the truth, and it was a huge relief when the DNA test confirmed our suspicions.”
Ana Pancholidze described the moment she received the DNA test results as life-changing. “It felt like my entire life was a lie, an illusion. That wasn’t my real life,” she said.
Despite the shocking revelation, Ana expressed no resentment, instead extending gratitude to those who raised her with love and care.
The invitation for the ‘Shubh Ashirwad’ ceremony of Anant Ambani, youngest son of Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, and Radhika Merchant has been revealed. The ceremony will be held on July 13.
The event will witness the presence of all the major Bollywood stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, and Amitabh Bachchan, among others. The dress code for the ceremony is traditional Indian attire, and the invitation specifies that the event is limited to guests over the age of 14.
The guest list is impressive, featuring Bollywood actors, industry giants, politicians, and international personalities. Confirmed attendees from Bollywood include Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Arjun Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani, Shahid Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, and others.
The event will also see the attendance of notable political figures, including members of the Thackeray family, Devendra Fadnavis, and Eknath Shinde. The Ambani family has also invited international personalities, with special arrangements made for private jets.
The wedding celebrations for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant commenced on June 29 with a small puja ceremony at the Ambani residence, Antilia, in Mumbai. The haldi ceremony took place on July 8, attended by numerous celebrities, including Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Sara Ali Khan, and Ananya Panday.
The couple’s wedding will be held on July 12 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The three-day wedding celebrations include the ‘Shubh Vivaah’ on July 12, ‘Shubh Ashirwad’ on July 13, and ‘Mangal Utsav,’ or the wedding reception, on July 14.
Bollywood’s charming actress, Sara Ali Khan, stole hearts with her stunning look at the haldi ceremony of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, and Radhika Merchant.
Sara shared her glamorous photos on Instagram, which quickly went viral. The actress has been turning heads with her fashion choices at all the pre-wedding events of her friend.
However, for the haldi ceremony, Sara’s multi-colored lehenga choli left everyone mesmerized. The vibrant prints adorned with sequins and embroidery work dazzled the eyes.
Complementing her outfit, Sara sported a messy hairstyle with a half-open French braid, subtle makeup, a tiny bindi on her forehead, and heavy bangles on her wrists, leaving no stone unturned in captivating everyone’s hearts. In her caption, Sara detailed her look and tagged four individuals for her outfit and styling.
The comment section of her post was flooded with praises. One fan remarked, “Sara’s ex-boyfriend is very unlucky,” while another praised her using Vicky Kaushal’s song lyrics, saying, “Hussn tera touba touba.”
A fan wished her protection from the evil eye, and another, comparing her outfit to the previous day’s, commented, “You look like a fairy today.”
Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi has revealed that he is focusing on his business ventures to support his household, as his income from films has dried up. Vivek Oberoi was last seen in director Rohit Shetty’s TV series “Indian Police Force.”
On this occasion, Vivek shared that he started his business journey at the age of 15, even before his Bollywood career, and has been relying on its earnings ever since.
According to him, he came from a boarding school, and his father, Suresh Oberoi, used to give him 500 rupees as pocket money, which he would spend in a single day sitting with college girls.
When his father found out, he scolded him and advised him to spend the money wisely. Vivek then told his mother that he didn’t want his father’s money and would manage on his own.
Following this, he began working, starting with small musical programs and show compering to earn an income. His Bollywood career started with the 2002 film “Company.”
Pallandri (Azadi Times) – Baloch detainees, who had filed a complaint regarding the torture they endured and the lack of an FIR, approached the esteemed Session Court in Pallandri.
The Session Court had issued an order to file an FIR against a government minister, along with seventeen other individuals and six police officials. The accused then appealed this decision in the High Court.
Following arguments heard yesterday, today the AJK High Court upheld the Session Court’s decision, maintaining the order to file an FIR against the pertinent minister Faheem Rubbani and police officials.
As per the court’s ruling, an FIR will now be filed against the concerned minister and police personnel.
Islamabad (Azadi Times July 9, 2024) – Pakistan’s federal government has recently authorized the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency to monitor citizens’ phone calls, a move aimed at bolstering national security measures amidst concerns of potential criminal activities.
According to media reports, the government’s decision allows the ISI to listen in on and potentially trace phone conversations as well as intercept messages, underlining the administration’s proactive stance on safeguarding public safety.
The decision, ratified through a cabinet circulation summary, underscores the government’s commitment to utilizing legal frameworks such as the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) Act of 1996, Section 54. This enables authorized agencies to monitor and record communications deemed suspicious or potentially harmful, both through landline exchanges and mobile networks.
Critics argue that such measures may raise concerns about privacy and civil liberties, prompting debates on the balance between security imperatives and individual rights. As Pakistan navigates these complex dynamics, the authorization represents a significant development in its national security strategy, signaling heightened vigilance in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape.
Washington, D.C. – Former President Donald Trump has made pointed criticisms regarding President Joe Biden’s ongoing presidential campaign and the influence of Biden’s son, Hunter Biden. In a recent interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Trump suggested that Hunter Biden is making critical decisions behind the scenes and claimed that President Biden’s refusal to withdraw from the presidential race is driven by his ego.
During the interview, Trump expressed his readiness to face Biden in the upcoming November elections, regardless of Biden’s decision to continue his campaign. “They are protecting him, and still are, but it’s getting very hard to do so,” Trump stated. “I think Jill wants him to remain there; she’s having a good time. It seems like she’s enjoying herself, and I’m hearing Hunter is making decisions.”
Trump further elaborated on his views, suggesting that Biden’s ego is a significant factor in his determination to stay in the race. “I think he’ll likely stay. He has an ego and doesn’t want to quit. No one wants to lose like that.”
The former president’s remarks come at a time when President Biden has reaffirmed his commitment to remain in the presidential race, despite some senior Democrats suggesting that Vice President Kamala Harris should take over the reins for the 2024 election. This internal party debate coincides with Biden’s preparations to host a major NATO summit in Washington, D.C.
Amidst the political turbulence, several Democratic representatives, including the influential Adam Schiff, have publicly voiced support for Harris as the party’s candidate. In private crisis talks led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, some members proposed that Biden, now 81, should consider stepping aside following his challenging debate performances.
In a recent interview with ABC, President Biden insisted that only a higher power could persuade him to step down, expressing confidence in his ability to challenge Trump. Over the weekend, during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania, Biden reiterated his stance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, asserting his suitability for the role.
The White House has also responded to health-related rumors, denying allegations that President Biden is suffering from Parkinson’s disease during a daily briefing on Monday.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, Trump’s comments underscore the ongoing debate within the Democratic Party and the broader political landscape about the best path forward for the upcoming election.
Gilgit (Azadi Times) – The Central Cabinet of the Awami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan convened an important meeting in Gilgit under the leadership of Central Chairman Ehsan Advocate. The session focused on the aftermath of the committee’s historic event and preparations for the upcoming Muharram.
During the meeting, the cabinet, leaders, and youth of the Awami Action Committee were commended for their efforts and dedication in making the recent event a success.
Central Chairman Ehsan Advocate and other leaders addressed the meeting, highlighting the committee’s significant achievement in uniting the people and leadership of Gilgit-Baltistan on a single platform to safeguard their resources. They firmly stated that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan would no longer permit the exploitation of their resources, including lands, mountains, and forests.
The Awami Action Committee announced its plans to launch a historic movement soon, focusing on green tourism, tax implementation, and other key demands outlined in their charter. This movement is expected to be decisive in shaping the future of the region.
The meeting also assessed the law and order situation in light of the upcoming Muharram and appealed to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan to maintain an atmosphere of unity and brotherhood during these sacred days. They urged vigilance against elements attempting to incite unrest. The leaders emphasized that Muharram teaches the importance of raising the word of truth against oppression and supporting the oppressed.
Social activist Yawar Abbas made a special appearance at the meeting. The leaders of the Awami Action Committee congratulated Abbas on his release and praised his struggle and perseverance. In response, Yawar Abbas thanked the committee leaders for their strong support and reaffirmed his commitment to dedicating all his energies to the committee’s movement.
The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and determination among the attendees to continue their efforts in protecting the rights and resources of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Muzaffarabad, July 8, 2024 — In response to recent violent protests over the demand for affordable electricity and flour, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) police have established a Special Anti-Riot Force to manage such situations more effectively in the future.
Announcement by IGP Rana Abdul Jabbar
During his first press briefing, the newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP), Rana Abdul Jabbar, announced the formation of this specialized unit. The force comprises 500 personnel aged between 20 and 30, receiving special training from master trainers in Punjab.
Objectives of the Special Anti-Riot Force
IGP Jabbar emphasized that the primary goal of the new force is to manage public crowds without resorting to excessive use of force, ensuring minimal harm to both sides. He stated, “The purpose of creating this force is to ensure that public gatherings are controlled by the police through non-violent means, preventing any unnecessary casualties.”
Deployment and Training
The Special Anti-Riot Force will have 100 personnel stationed at each of the three divisional headquarters, ready to be deployed by the respective Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) as needed. The remaining 200 personnel will be based in Muzaffarabad, serving as a backup force under the DIG Rangers and Reserve.
Workshop for District Police Heads
To ensure effective utilization of the Special Anti-Riot Force, IGP Azad Kashmir Jabbar announced a two-day workshop for district police heads. This workshop aims to familiarize them with the operational protocols and deployment strategies for the new unit.
The formation of the Special Anti-Riot Force marks a significant step towards improving the management of public protests in AJK. By emphasizing non-violent methods and specialized training, the AJK police aim to handle future demonstrations more effectively, ensuring public safety and order.
About IGP Azad Kashmir Rana Abdul Jabbar
IGP Rana Abdul Jabbar is the newly appointed Inspector General of Police for Azad Jammu and Kashmir, committed to enhancing the region’s law enforcement capabilities and maintaining public order through innovative and effective strategies.
