While leading a protest march in the eastern city of Wazirabad, Pakistan’s ousted prime minister Imran Khan’s motorcade was shot at with guns.
A gunshot that struck his car caused him to get a leg injury. At least five additional people were hurt, in addition to one fatality.
Regarding the attack’s motivation, which allies claim was an attempt at assassination, there was no immediate government statement.
Forcing early elections was the purpose of the protest march.
The march was being led by Mr. Khan, 70, and it was intended to end in Islamabad, the country’s capital.
A hospital in Lahore was where the politician who used to play for the national cricket team was seen being brought. His shin had been struck, according to a party spokeswoman.
Although his status was stable, his caregivers predicted that he would need surgery.
The man who police claim attempted to kill the former prime minister has confessed in a video that has been released.
When asked by authorities why he opened fire, the man responds, “He was leading the people astray. I wanted to kill him. The interview appears to have been conducted in an unclear manner. I tried to murder him.”
During an interview with a news reporter, a senior aide and spokesperson for Mr. Khan claimed that the Pakistani government was “directly involved” in the attack.
The government was “trying to physically eliminate [Imran Khan],” according to Raoof Hasan, who criticised the government’s distribution of the video confession as a “crude cover-up”.
Shehbaz Sharif, the current prime minister, denounced the shooting and commanded a quick investigation. The incident, according to President Arif Alvi, was a “heinous assassination attempt.”
During the rally, Zoraiz Bangash, a local journalist who witnessed the attack, said: “When [Mr] Khan was leading the rally, there were suddenly gunshots heard, and the moment we all realized there was a person with a pistol, a 9mm pistol, and he fired some shots, which unfortunately struck some of the PTI leaders and [Mr] Khan..”
“And a PTI supporter who was standing near to him managed to capture the suspect. The suspect was transported away after being taken into custody.
For the past seven days, Mr. Khan has led a protest march, the second such gathering this year, pushing for new elections.
Elections will take place as scheduled next year, the government has frequently stated.
Khan was barred from running for public office by Pakistan’s election board last month in a case that the former All-Star cricketer said was politically motivated.
He had been charged with misdeclaring information about gifts from foreign dignitaries and the proceeds of their suspected sale. Rolex watches, a ring, and a set of cufflinks were among the gifts.
There is a long history of political violence in Pakistan that has resulted in death.
In the most well-known incident, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was killed in 2007 at a gathering of the general population.
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO for 13 years, recently spoke about his future at the company. In an interview with Wired, he addressed the big question: how long will he stay in charge? His response was clear and personal: “I’ll keep going until the voice in my head says, ‘It’s time.’”
Cook’s connection with Apple runs deep. He joined the company in 1998, and it quickly became a central part of his life. “I can’t imagine my life without Apple,” he said, explaining how intertwined his personal and professional journey has been with the company. Apple is more than a job for him- it’s a lifelong commitment.
Innovations Under Cook’s Leadership
Since stepping into the CEO role in 2011, Cook has overseen the creation of some of Apple’s most iconic products, like the Apple Watch and AirPods. These innovations have helped solidify Apple’s reputation as a global leader in technology, delivering products that people use and love every day.
A Message About Screen Time
Cook isn’t just focused on launching new devices. He’s also voiced concerns about how we use technology in our daily lives. Speaking about screen time, he said, “If you’re looking at your phone more than you’re looking in somebody’s eyes, that’s a problem.” His leadership encourages a balanced approach to tech, reminding users to stay present in the real world.
What’s Next for Tim Cook?
As for stepping down, Cook says he’ll make that decision when the time feels right. For now, he remains dedicated to Apple, a company he’s been a part of for over two decades. His passion and commitment to innovation show no signs of slowing down, leaving Apple’s future in steady hands for the foreseeable future.
TikTok is back in the news, and this time, it might not be in the US for long. A federal appeals court just said yes to a law that says TikTok has to break up with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or it’ll be banned in the US by January 2025. This has everyone talking about free speech, national security, and how much TikTok means to American culture.
What’s Happening?
The U.S. government is worried about TikTok’s ties to ByteDance. They think ByteDance might share U.S. user data with the Chinese government or mess with what people see on the app. But there’s no proof of this happening yet. The law is just trying to be safe.
ByteDance has to sell its part of TikTok. If they don’t, the app could be taken away from everyone in the U.S. This would affect over 170 million TikTok users who use it for fun, to stay in touch, and even to make a living.
Why TikTok and ByteDance Are Fighting Back
TikTok and ByteDance are suing the government, saying the new law is against the First Amendment and unfairly targets them. They think the law is based on guesses rather than real evidence. ByteDance won’t sell TikTok because it’s too complicated and because they don’t want to give up the secret sauce that makes TikTok so popular.
A TikTok spokesperson said that the platform is all about giving people a voice and that the ban is just censorship based on bad ideas. They’re planning to take the case all the way to the Supreme Court, hoping to get a ruling that protects free speech.
What Could Happen Next?
If ByteDance sells TikTok, the new owners would have to make sure the app works on its own, not with any “foreign enemy.” But that might be tough, since China has strict rules about sending tech to other countries.
If TikTok gets banned, it would be a big deal. Creators who make their living on the platform would lose money, and advertisers would probably move to other platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. The news of the ban has already made Meta and Alphabet’s stocks go up, which means things are about to change in the social media world.
What’s at Stake?
TikTok is more than just an app for millions of users—it’s a creative hub, a community gathering place, and even a marketplace. A ban would not only mess with their daily lives but also shake up the advertising world and digital culture.
ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, is not backing down from a sale, and the government is not budging. This legal battle is far from over. We don’t know yet if TikTok will stick around in its current form or if it’ll have to make some major changes.
As the January deadline gets closer, everyone’s watching the Supreme Court, ByteDance, and the U.S. government to see how this whole thing turns out. It’s anyone’s guess how this saga will change the future of TikTok in America.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a strong advisory urging all Indian citizens to avoid traveling to Syria until further notice. The advisory comes in light of the worsening conflict in the region, which has seen a surge in violence and displacement.
The MEA also asked Indians currently in Syria to leave as soon as possible using available commercial flights. For those unable to leave immediately, the ministry emphasized staying cautious, minimizing movements, and prioritizing safety.
Indians in Syria are encouraged to remain in close contact with the Indian Embassy in Damascus for updates. The embassy’s emergency helpline number, available on WhatsApp, is +963 993385973. Alternatively, individuals can reach out via email at hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in.
What’s Happening in Syria?
Syria’s civil war, which has stretched over 13 years, has taken a sharp and dangerous turn in recent weeks. Rebel forces, led by the jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have launched a rapid offensive against President Bashar al-Assad’s government. The situation has resulted in significant upheaval, with the UN reporting that over 370,000 people have been displaced since November 27.
The HTS fighters are joined by the Syrian National Army, a coalition of Turkish-backed militias. Together, they are advancing towards key cities, including Homs and Damascus, Assad’s seat of power. This sudden escalation has broken a long-standing stalemate, making the situation in Syria even more volatile.
How Many Indians Are in Syria?
According to the MEA, around 90 Indian nationals are currently in Syria. Among them, 14 are employed with various United Nations organizations.
The Indian government has assured that its mission in Damascus is in constant touch with these individuals to ensure their safety. The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated, “We are closely following the situation and are committed to the security of our citizens in Syria.”
What Should You Do?
If you’re an Indian national in Syria:
Contact the Embassy: Reach out to the Indian Embassy in Damascus for updates and assistance.
Plan to Leave: Book the earliest available commercial flight to exit the country.
Stay Safe: Until you leave, restrict movement and take maximum precautions.
For those considering travel to Syria, the advice is clear: avoid it altogether for now.
Why Is This Important?
The safety of citizens is a top priority for any government, and India is no exception. Syria’s escalating conflict poses severe risks, including displacement, violence, and disruptions to daily life.
By issuing this advisory, the Indian government aims to protect its citizens and ensure they are not caught in the crossfire of a complex and dangerous situation. If you know someone in Syria, encourage them to take the necessary precautions and stay in touch with the embassy.
Stay safe, stay informed, and avoid unnecessary risks.
Apple is making big waves in Indonesia with a $1 billion manufacturing plant. This follows the Indonesian government’s new rules for smartphone sales which requires phones like iPhone 16 to have at least 40% local content.
Local Content Push
Indonesia is a massive market with 280 million people. But selling here comes with conditions. In October, they banned iPhone 16 sales because Apple didn’t meet the local content requirement. Now they’re going to tighten the rules even more.
Apple’s $1 billion investment might be the answer to this. Indonesia’s investment minister, Rosan Roeslani, confirmed the plan is underway. Details are still being hammered out but they want to finalize everything and get a written commitment from Apple soon.
Bigger Production Plan
Last week, Apple’s proposal to invest $100 million for a smaller plant for accessories and components was rejected. The Indonesian government thought it was not enough to lift the iPhone 16 ban. The new $1 billion commitment is a much bigger deal and could mean bigger production of smartphone components.
Apple has no manufacturing facility in Indonesia. Their strategy so far has been the developer academies they launched in 2018 which trains locals in app development. While that’s helpful, it doesn’t address the local content in iPhones.
Why Indonesia Matters
For Apple, this investment is not just about meeting government rules. It’s about the market. Indonesia has a fast growing middle class so it’s a good target for tech companies. A local plant can also help Apple reduce costs by sourcing components locally.
For Indonesia, this means jobs, local manufacturing and a stronger position as a global tech player. Partnerships like this can help the country move up the value chain from just consuming technology to being part of it.
What’s Next?
Apple’s $1 billion plan is big but necessary. By committing to local manufacturing, they’re aligning with Indonesia’s policies and preparing for long term growth in the region. More details to come soon.
This could be a game changer not just for Apple but for Indonesia’s tech industry. It’s a win win: Apple gets into a big market and Indonesia gets investment and innovation. If everything goes according to plan, this could be a model for how global companies can go local.
A German startup is offering a futuristic service that could change how we think about life and death. Tomorrow Bio, a company based in Germany, is providing cryopreservation services that allow dead bodies to be frozen and potentially revived in the future. This bold claim comes with a hefty price tag- $200,000 to preserve a full body, and $81,000 for just the brain.
So, how does it work? The process is called cryopreservation, and it involves cooling the body to minus 198 degrees Celsius, which puts the person’s body into a state of “biostasis.” This means that all biological processes stop completely, freezing the body in time. According to Tomorrow Bio, this could allow for future revival when technology is advanced enough to treat the cause of death and restore life.
Tomorrow Bio has already preserved six people and five pets. Over 650 individuals have signed up and paid for this service, hoping that one day they will be brought back to life. The company’s vision is to create a world where people can choose how long they want to live, no matter who they are, where they come from, or their financial situation.
To ensure the preservation process starts as soon as possible after death, Tomorrow Bio has teams on standby in several European cities, including Berlin, Amsterdam, and Zurich. They use specialized ambulances to transport the bodies to the main facility in Switzerland. Once there, the body is placed in an isolated steel container filled with liquid nitrogen. It’s kept at a chilling minus 198 degrees Celsius for ten days, achieving the preservation temperature needed for the process to work.
The co-founder of Tomorrow Bio, Fernando Azevedo Pinheir, believes that in our lifetime, we may see the safe cryopreservation and reanimation of complex organisms. While it sounds like something out of science fiction, the idea is gaining attention, and the startup has already made significant progress in this unique field.
This process, though futuristic, raises interesting questions about the future of life extension and how far science and technology might go in giving people the option to live longer-or come back later. Whether or not you’d choose to sign up for such a service, Tomorrow Bio’s venture is definitely one to watch as it pushes the boundaries of life and death.