Pak cops arrest 25 women for ‘obscene dance’
Lahore, April 7: Twenty-five female dancers have been arrested in Punjab province of Pakistan on the charges of performing obscene dance and using drugs, police said on Monday.
The arrests were made after police raided a farmhouse in the province’s Kasur city, following a tip-off. Thirty spectators were also taken into custody.
“Police have booked 25 women dancers and 30 spectators from a farmhouse near Pakki Haveli, Kasur, some 50kms from Lahore, on the charges of obscene dance and use of drugs near,” senior police officer Essa Khan Sukhaira said.The owner of the farmhouse was also arrested.
Police also seized liquor, hukkah, musical instruments and a sound system.
According to officials, the suspects were presented before a magistrate who ordered their release.
The provincial government led by Maryam Nawaz has launched a “moral policing” drive targeting theatres, taking action against female dancers for alleged “immoral performances”.
Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari said theatres in Punjab will be purged of “indecent dance, attire and inappropriate songs.” “Vulgarity and obscenity will not be tolerated in Punjab’s theatres. Any performer found violating the new theatre SOPs will have to face a lifetime ban,” she said, urging theatre owners to produce quality dramas with meaningful themes to provide the public with healthy entertainment. (PTI)
China unveils new radio telescope in Antarctica
Beijing, April 7: China has unveiled a new telescope in Antarctica where it has established five research stations, firming up its presence in the icy and resource-rich southernmost continent, according to a media report on Monday.
“Three Gorges Antarctic Eye” a 3.2-metre aperture radio/millimetre-wave telescope has been unveiled at a scientific research station in Antarctica, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The telescope, co-developed by China Three Gorges University (CTGU) and Shanghai Normal University (SHNU), further cemented China’s advancements in Antarctic astronomy. (PTI)
Grand celebration of Ram Navami in Abu Dhabi
New Delhi, April 6: The world-renowned BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi celebrated Ram Navami and Swaminarayan Jayanti with immense devotion and grandeur, marking a landmark moment for cultural and spiritual harmony in the UAE. A statement mentioned that devotees from across the region gathered at the temple to participate in a series of devotional and cultural events. According to Pujya Brahmavihari Swami, the head priest of the temple, a full day of celebrations was organized, beginning with Ram Bhajans from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by the Shri Ram Janmotsav Aarti at 12 noon. (IANS)
Sri Lanka’s population increases to 21.76 million
Colombo, April 7: The total population of Sri Lanka reported in the Census of Population and Housing 2024 is 21,763,170, an increase of 1,403,731 over the total population reported in the Census of Population and Housing 2012, the country’s Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) said on Monday.
The average annual growth rate of the population over the 2012-2024 intercensal period is 0.5 per cent. During the 2001-2012 intercensal period, the average annual population growth rate was 0.7 per cent, the DCS said.
The largest percentage of the population lives in the Western Province, where 28.1 per cent of the total population resides, while the smallest population of 5.3 per cent resides in the Northern Province.
The highest population density of 3,549 persons per square kilometre is reported in the Colombo District, while the lowest population density is reported in the Mullaitivu District in the Northern Province, which has a population density of 50 persons per square kilometre, according to the DCS, it was reported.
Sri Lanka had launched its new population and housing census, which is an exercise done once in 10 years, in November 2023.
The census was initiated at the Presidential Secretariat which was listed as the first building to be recorded. (IANS)
Man arrested for barricading inside Canada’s Parliament
Ottawa, April 6: Canadian police on Sunday arrested a man who had barricaded himself inside the Parliament building after gaining ‘unauthorised access’ to the building’s East Block.
This prompted an hours-long lockdown in the part of downtown Ottawa, resulting in a significant police intervention after a major security breach.
“The barricaded man call at East Block has ended without incident. One man is in custody. The Ottawa police criminal investigation is ongoing, and an update will be provided in the morning. We thank the public for its cooperation,” Ottawa police posted on X. (AP)