PTI’s reality check Such fall and such rise within 24 hours would constitute unimaginable dramatic shift in the affairs of country While an anxious nation was watching developments taking place in Islamabad on Tuesday, something significant happened in Karachi. The venue was the Pakistan Stock Exchange where the KSE-100 index suffered the biggest single-day plunge in its history. Equities, as they say, fell like ninepins. Obviously, the political situation had suddenly triggered a rush of panic among investors and businessmen. The market dropped by 3.6 per cent or 3,506 points. This means that the situation had become drastic, portending dire consequences. So, what was actually happening? But wait. The very next day, on Wednesday, the market recovered. Not just that, the benchmark index rose by 4.96 per cent or 4,696.09 points. And this marked the largest single-day surge in the index’s history. Such a fall and such a rise within the space of 24 hours would constitute an unimaginable dramatic shift in the affairs of a country. It would be hard for a writer of fiction to imagine a plot to justify this transformation. Well, we know what transpired around D-Chowk in Islamabad during the long night between Tuesday and Wednesday. The large procession of PTI protesters that had bravely breached the Red Zone was routed by the security forces when an operation was launched after nightfall. Its leaders, Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi quickly left the scene, and the protesters ran in confusion for safety. There is, of course, a story to tell about the entire encounter. The D-Day for the PTI’s march on Islamabad was set on November 24. In real terms, a battle was in the offing between the multitudes that the PTI was planning to mobilise and the security forces of the government. The PTI leaders boasted like boxers do before stepping in the ring. It was really meant to be a very serious confrontation, mainly because the PTI had named it the final, ‘do or die’ campaign to, in a sense, topple the present government and win the release of Imran Khan. Violence was inherent in this scheme. And it was violence that settled the score late on Tuesday night. Not unexpectedly, the PTI, not able to mount the show it had promised, lost the battle. One measure of this is the in-fighting that is taking place in the top ranks of the party. Thankfully, the heavens did not fall. There certainly was a lot of violence and the PTI leaders have claimed many deaths – the numbers being in dispute – of their activists from firing from the security forces. But the kind of upheaval that many observers had anticipated did not occur. In fact, the stage for long had been set for a scenario of national disaster if Imran Khan were not to be released and actions against the PTI were not retracted. I admit to also being very depressed about the overall political state of affairs. It was against this backdrop that the PTI decided to go for a final showdown with the government, primarily to put pressure to secure Imran Khan’s release. The nation held its breath. Let me give you some idea of how prominent analysts were looking at it. On Wednesday, I read these words by a respected columnist (penned surely before Tuesday night’s denouement): “Most worrisome, however, is that any direct confrontation between the protesters and the security forces could lead to a civil war-like situation with disastrous consequences for the safety and unity of the country”. A civil war? For the moment, the main strife is playing out in the PTI itself. Bushra Bibi, who is believed to have led Imran Khan to power with her supernatural tactics, is at the centre of wrangling over how the battle was lost. She had revealed her credentials when she said those words, alluding to Saudi Arabia. PTI supporters are at a loss to understand the setback that the party has suffered. Where were the millions who were supposed to have joined the march? Anyhow, what lessons do we have here about the politics of agitation? Was it ever realistic for the PTI to assume that it could stage a social revolution with the massive popular support it has? And, for that matter, what revolutionary ideas have the party articulated to lead the way for a brighter future? Not being able to adequately sum up the events of this week, I believe that this has been a sobering experience for all of us. This kind of confrontation, reflective of the intense polarisation that has polluted our politics, makes it even more difficult to resolve the fundamental issues that have made us so miserable. All the time that the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was playing his politics, sectarian violence continued to rage in Kurram and there were more killings despite a ceasefire. As for the preemptive measures adopted by the authorities to block the march of the protesters, the daily lives of the citizens of Islamabad and other cities were disrupted for days. Were there no less painful and more inventive ways to deal with the threat of the march and the ‘dharna’? A lot is happening on various fronts in the wake of Tuesday night’s retreat of the PTI’s march. PTI workers are incensed by the absence of many leaders from the march and the lack of courage of those who were there. Most of them are baffled by what has happened. There is a lot of confusion about the reported willingness of Imran Khan, who was allowed visits by party leaders in the early phase of the march to divert the march from D-Chowk. It seemed that Bushra Bibi insisted on proceeding towards D-Chowk, with dreadful consequences. Typically, there are surprising variations in statements made by PTI leaders regarding the deaths of PTI workers caused by security forces. Figures range from eight to that outlandish allegation of 278 deaths by Sardar Khosa. On its part, the government has rejected all these claims. Imran Khan’s charismatic appeal may be intact but the party, in its functional aspects, has broken. Can it be rebuilt as a less volatile outfit? The writer is a senior journalist. He can be reached at: ghazi_salahuddin@hotmail.comSouthern baseball coach Chris Crenshaw Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save The Southern baseball team will kick off the 2025 season at the Cactus Jack Classic in Houston against Texas Southern on Feb. 14 and will start a new conference schedule format beginning March 14. Instead of home-and-home SWAC divisional series each weekend, each team will play all five divisional opponents and five of six from the opposite division. Southern will play every other Southwestern Athletic Conference team except Florida A&M. The teams will be then be seeded 1-8 by record for a double-elimination tournament starting May 21. Five of Southern’s first seven SWAC series will be played in Baton Rouge. The Jaguars will open their home schedule against Dillard on Feb. 25, the first of six consecutive home games. Saint Peter comes in for a three-game series at Lee-Hines Field from Feb. 28-March-2 and Southern wraps up the homestand against Xavier on March 4. The Jaguars will play at LSU at 2 p.m. Feb. 18. Conference play begins March 14 at home with a three-game series against Alabama State. 2025 Southern baseball schedule Cactus Jack Classic, Houston Feb. 14 vs. Texas Southern, 7 p.m. Feb. 15 vs. Grambling, 3 p.m. Feb. 16 vs. Prairie View, 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at LSU, 2 p.m. Andre Dawson Classic, Vero Beach, Fla. Feb. 21 vs. Jackson St., 11 a.m. Feb. 22 vs. Florida A&M, 6 p.m. Feb. 23 vs. Missouri, 8 a.m. Feb. 25 Dillard, 6 p.m. Feb. 28 Saint Peter, 6 p.m. Mar. 1 Saint Peter, 3 p.m. Mar. 2 Saint Peter, 1 p.m. Mar. 4 Xavier, 6 p.m. Mar. 7 at Mercer, 5 p.m. Mar. 8 at Mercer, 1 p.m. Mar. 9 at Mercer, noon Mar. 11 at UL, 6 p.m. Mar. 14 Alabama State, 6 p.m. Mar. 15 Alabama State, 3 p.m. Mar. 16 Alabama State, 1 p.m. Mar. 19 Incarnate Word, 6 p.m. Mar. 21 at Prairie View, 3 p.m. Mar. 22 at Prairie View, 2 p.m. Mar. 23 at Prairie View, 1 p.m. Mar. 23 at McNeese St., 6 p.m. Mar. 25 at Bethune-Cookman, 6 p.m. Mar. 26 at Bethune-Cookman, 5 p.m. Mar. 27 at Bethune-Cookman, noon Apr. 1 at UNO, 6:30 p.m. Apr. 4 Grambling, 6 p.m. Apr. 5 Grambling, 3 p.m. Apr. 6 Grambling, 1 p.m. Apr. 9 UNO, 6 p.m. Apr. 11 Alcorn St., 6 p.m. Apr. 12 Alcorn St., 3 p.m. Apr. 13 Alcorn St., 1 p.m. Apr. 15 at Mississippi State, 6 p.m. Apr. 18 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, TBA Apr. 19 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, TBA Apr. 20 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, TBA Apr. 22 Nicholls State, 6 p.m. Apr. 25 Mississippi Valley St., 6 p.m. Apr. 26 Mississippi Valley St., 3 p.m. Apr. 27 Mississippi Valley St., 1 p.m. May 2 at Texas Southern, TBA May 3 at Texas Southern, TBA May 4 at Texas Southern, TBA May 6 McNeese St., 6 p.m. May 9 at Alabama A&M, 2 p.m. May 10 at Alabama A&M, 2 p.m. May 11 at Alabama A&M, 1 p.m. May 16 at Jackson St., TBA May 17 at Jackson St., TBA May 18 at Jackson St., TBA May 21-25 SWAC tournament May 30 NCAA regionalLA SALLE 83, TEMPLE 75
Shares of Avenue Supermarts Ltd . rose 0.92 per cent to Rs 3657.70 in Tuesday's trade. It hit an intraday high of Rs 3680.00 and low of Rs 3622.75, respectively, during the day. The stock quoted a 52-week high price of Rs 5484.00 and low of Rs 3567.35. As of 10:50AM (IST), the counter saw total traded volume of 10,170 shares with a traded value of Rs 3.72 crore, according to NSE . The stock had closed at Rs 3624.25 in the previous session. The scrip has -9.71 per cent in the past one month till date, while the benchmark BSE Sensex has gained 0.7599999904632568 per cent during the same period. 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A higher P/E ratio shows that investors are willing to pay a higher price for per rupee earnings given by the stock because of better future growth expectations. The price-to-book value indicates the inherent value of a company and it reflects the price investors are ready to pay even for no growth in a business. The stock belongs to the Supermarkets industry. Promoter/FII Holding Promoters held 74.65 per cent stake in the company as of 30-Sep-2024, while FII and MF ownership in the firm stood at 9.95 per cent and 5.95 per cent, respectively. Key Financials The company reported consolidated sales of Rs 14478.0200 crore for the quarter ended 30-Sep-2024, 2.6 per cent from the previous quarter's Rs 14110.7400 crore and 14.35 per cent from the year-ago quarter's Rs 12661.2900 crore. Its net for the latest quarter stood at Rs 659.58 crore, 5.78 per cent from the same quarter a year ago. (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel )I’m A Celebrity’s Jane Moore bravely faces first Bushtucker Trial as her panicked campmates scream in terrorModern architecture has taken giant strides in the last couple of decades. In all this, the importance of efficient power distribution has become important. According to experts, busbars have emerged as a key component in this transformation, revolutionising how electrical systems are designed and implemented in contemporary buildings. These sturdy and versatile conductors offer a streamlined solution for distributing electrical power with enhanced safety and reliability. As buildings become more complex and energy demands increase, understanding the role of busbars is essential for anyone involved in the construction and management of modern infrastructure. This blog explores how this device is shaping the future of power distribution and its impact on building efficiency and performance. What is a Busbar? 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Firstly, quality assurance is a major benefit as established brands offer high-quality products that guarantee reliability and durability, meeting industry standards. Secondly, expert support and service are integral, with leading brands providing technical assistance and consultation to help you choose the right equipment and ensure seamless integration into your power distribution system. Lastly, these brands often incorporate advanced technology into their products, giving you access to innovative features that boost the efficiency and functionality of your power distribution setup. Elevate Efficiency with Modern Busbar Systems Busbars are shaping the future of power distribution in modern buildings by offering enhanced efficiency, space-saving designs, improved safety, and flexibility. Their ability to streamline power distribution and reduce installation costs makes them a valuable component in contemporary electrical systems. Be it a defence or automotive business, collaborating with a reputed electrical brand ensures that you receive high-quality equipment, expert support, and advanced technology, maximising the benefits of your power distribution system. Investing in trusted brands not only enhances system performance but also provides long-term value and reliability. Also published on Medium .
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US President Joe Biden has outlined the next steps to ensure security in the Middle East after Syria’s despotic regime under Bashar al-Assad ended with the dictator fleeing to Russia. Assad and his family fled Damascus for Moscow, with Russian news agencies – TASS and Ria Novosti – confirming the news on Sunday. A Kremlin source told Ria Novosti that Russia has granted Assad and his family members asylum based on “humanitarian considerations”. "Russian officials are in contact with representatives of the armed Syrian opposition, whose leaders have guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions on Syrian territory," the source said. Biden said the US approach in the Middle East had “shifted the balance of power” in the region, but there was still more to do to ensure security during “this period of transition”. “Looking ahead, the United States will do the following. First, we support Syria's neighbours, including Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Israel, should any threat arise from Syria,” he said, adding he will be in discussions with leaders in the region in the coming days. “Second, we will help ensure stability in eastern Syria, protecting any personnel, our personnel against any threats and remain our mission against ISIS must be maintained, including the security of detention facilities where ISIS fighters are being held as prisoners. “We're clear eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to re-establish its capabilities to create a safe haven. We will not let that happen. In fact, just today, US forces conducted dozens of precision airstrikes within Syria targeting nurses camps and ISIS operatives. “Third, we will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the United Nations, to establish a transition away from the Assad regime toward an independent, sovereign and independent state.” Biden said the Assad regime had fallen “at long last” after more than half a century of “brutal authoritarian rule” by Bashar and his father before him. “It's a moment of historic opportunity for the long suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country. It's also a moment of risk and uncertainty as we all turn to the question of what comes next,” Biden said. “The United States will work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage the risks. “For years, the main backers of Assad have been around Hezbollah and Russia. But over the last week, their support collapsed, all three of them, because all three of them are far weaker today than they were when I took office.” Biden said after Hamas attacked Israel, Iran launched a multi-front war on the Jewish state, which was a “historic mistake”. The US President said it was “impossible” for Iran and Hezbollah to “prop up” Assad’s regime, adding Russia’s support for Assad had also failed due to the “massive damage” indirectly inflicted by the US in its backing of Ukraine. “The upshot for all this is for the first time ever, either Russia nor Iran or Hezbollah could defend this abhorrent regime in Syria. This is a direct result of the blows that Ukraine, Israel have delivered upon their own self-defence with unflagging support of the United States,” Biden said. Assad has ruled Syria with an iron fist for the past 24 years, having taken over from his father, who ruled from 1971 to 2000. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a “historic day” for the Middle East after the collapse of the Assad regime. “The tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers,” he said. “The collapse is the direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran, Assad’s main supporters. “It set off a chain reaction of all those who want to free themselves from this tyranny and its oppression.” Mr Netanyahu said the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement had been effectively terminated after the Syrian army abandoned its positions, with Israeli military forces given the order to take over these positions to ensure no hostile force embedded itself along the border of Israel. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer released a statement on the “unprecedented” situation and welcomed his departure as the Syrian people had suffered under Assad’s “barbaric regime for too long”. “Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored,” Starmer wrote. “We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days.” Syrian rebels took to state television on Sunday to announce they had toppled the Assad regime, just hours after they reported having entered the capital of Damascus without any resistance from government troops. "We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison," the rebels said, referring to a large military prison on the outskirts of Damascus where the Syrian government detained thousands. The news led to thousands congregating in the main square in Damascus, waving and chanting "freedom" from a half century of Assad family rule. Footage from social media showed Syrians also celebrating in other cities, with statues of Bashar al-Assad and his father Hafez al-Assad being torn down by crowds in jubilation. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali has called for free elections in the country, pledging to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people in order to support continuity of government. Earlier on Sunday a leader of one of the largest rebel groups, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), announced they had completed their takeover of Homs (Syria’s third largest city). “Dear brothers, we are living in the final moments of the liberation of the city of Homs, with the permission of Allah Almighty,” Abu Mohammed al-Jolani said in a video message. The rebel leader described the moment as a “historic event” as he called for rebel forces to show mercy to those who laid down their arms. “We advise our brothers in the resistance, as we have previously advised them, to show compassion towards the people. Those who lay down their weapons should be granted safety, and those who flee should not be caught. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds,” he said.‘Stop Acts That Spark Communal Tension’: Farooq to Centre
Rajasthan United FC staged a stunning second-half comeback to beat hosts Namdhari FC 3-1 in the I-League here on Saturday (November 30, 2024). Namdhari took a fortunate lead in the 18th minute when Rajasthan defender Wayne Vaz, under pressure from Akashdeep Singh, scored an own goal. The hosts dominated early, with Akashdeep coming close to doubling the lead in the 34th minute, only for Rajasthan goalkeeper James Kithan to deny him with a superb save. Rajasthan grew into the game and equalised in the 51st minute after William Neihsial was fouled in the box and Alain Oyarzun converted the resultant penalty with ease. Namdhari nearly regained the lead in the 70th minute, but Cledson Dasilva’s header drifted narrowly wide. Three minutes later, Seiminmang Manchong dribbled past multiple defenders and fired in a low shot that eluded goalkeeper Jaspreet Singh, putting Rajasthan ahead. Namdhari’s hopes faded after a red card in the 80th minute, and Wayne Vaz redeemed himself in the 85th minute, tapping in from close range to seal Rajasthan’s victory. Later in the evening, Dempo SC clinched their maiden victory of the season, defeating hosts Shillong Lajong FC 2-0. Goals from Pruthvesh Pednekar (53’) and Matija Babović (90’) sealed a crucial away win for Samir Naik’s men, building on their opening draw against Aizawl FC. The match began evenly, with Lajong’s Damaitphang Lyngdoh testing Dempo goalkeeper Ashish Sibi early on. Despite creating chances, Lajong failed to convert, with Daniel Gonçalves missing a key opportunity. Dempo’s disciplined defense soaked up the pressure, keeping the first half goalless. The Goan side shifted gears after the break when Pednekar broke the deadlock, heading home a corner from Cristián Pérez. Lajong’s attempts to equalise were thwarted by Sibi’s stellar saves, including a vital stop against Phrangki Buam. Babovic sealed the win in stoppage time with a sensational long-range strike that left Lajong goalkeeper Neithovilie Chalieu rooted. Published - December 01, 2024 05:12 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Football / sportThe ultimate good health gift guide: Boost your loved ones' wellbeing for 2025 with our health gurus' Christmas picks By MAIL ON SUNDAY Published: 16:54 GMT, 8 December 2024 | Updated: 17:06 GMT, 8 December 2024 e-mail View comments From a blender that makes healthy ice cream at push of a button to goggles that show how far you've swum, we've created the ultimate 2024 gift guide for you to treat your health-conscious loved ones this Christmas ... Must-have tech Fitbit Sense 2 advanced smartwatch £219 The latest smartwatch from health and fitness line Fitbit is brand's most advanced – able to identify users' stress patterns as well as advise on managing users with guided breathing exercises and meditation. It also analyses sleep patterns, monitors heart rate and much more. ee.co.uk Fitbit's latest smartwatch (left) is able to identify users' stress patterns, while Suri's electric toothbrush has taken social media by storm for its compact size and sustainable make-up Suri Sustainable Electric Toothbrush, now £63.75 This award-winning device took social media by storm this year. It's half the size of traditional electric toothbrushes – making it portable – and is also made from sustainable materials. trysuri.com DeluxeSkin Period Pain Relief £79.99 This battery-operated device uses a combination of heat and massage therapy to relieve period pain and cramping. It is cordless and can be worn discreetly under clothes – a vast improvement on clutching a hot water bottle to your stomach. Battery life is about three hours. deluxeskin.uk DeluxeSkin's device uses a combination of heat and massage therapy to relieve period pain and cramping, while OpenSwim's headphones using bone-conduction technology that converts sound to vibrations which travel into the inner ear OpenSwim Pro bluetooth waterproof on-ear headphones £135 These miraculous headphones by Shokz are 100 per cent waterproof – using bone-conduction technology that converts sound to vibrations which travel into the inner ear. They work in depths of up to two metres for two hours, as well as on dry land. argos.co.uk Fit for Christmas Form Smart Swim 2 goggles £249 These futuristic goggles provide real-time metrics as you swim – displaying heart rate, time, distance, pace and stroke rate on the lenses. Wearers can opt in to personalised coaching, as well as workout and training plans, which provide motivating lap-by-lap instructions in the goggles. They have a 14-hour battery life. selfridges.com These Form Smart Swim 2 futuristic goggles provide real-time metrics as you swim, while WholyMe's Target relief balm uses natural ingredients to soothe aches in muscles and joints WholyMe Target relief balm £34.99 Packed with 12 powerful natural ingredients, including arnica, juniper and frankincense, this organic balm – free of ultra-processed ingredients – soothes aches in muscles and joints. boots.com Cork foot massage tools set £37 This set, made by classic German sandal company Birkenstock comes with two massage balls and a roller to ease tension and soothe achy soles. birkenstock.com Birkenstock's massage tools set includes two balls and a roller to ease tension and soothe achy soles, while Gen Z's favourite runners, Hokas, have ultra-padded soles and are amazingly light Hoka Clifton 9 £130 Gen Z's favourite running shoe Hoka have ultra-padded soles but they are amazingly light – making for an even more effortless walk or jog. And the colour range would please any runner wanting to impress. jdsports.com Treats for food fans Wonder Oven £155 The latest offering from cult cookware brand Our Place is a six-in-one oven that can air fry, bake, roast, grill, reheat and toast. It requires far less oil than other methods, which produces much healthier meals. selfridges.com Our Place's Wonder Oven is a six-in-one oven that can air fry, bake, roast, grill, reheat and toast, while Tenderheart is a cookbook that can help you achieve your five-a-day with delicious dishes Tenderheart by Hetty Lui McKinnon £35 This cookbook can help achieve your five-a-day, with each chapter dedicated to a different fruit or vegetable. It is full of healthy yet delicious dishes that can turn veg from a side dish into the main event. waterstones.com Ninja Creami ice cream & frozen dessert maker £149.99 This ice-cream maker can transform frozen fruit into sorbet in minutes. For healthier alternatives to the naughty tub of Ben & Jerry's, you can also use the machine to create your own frozen yogurt, smoothies and more. johnlewis.com Ninja's ice-cream maker can transform frozen fruit into sorbet in minutes, and drinking rose chai tea can ease pain and inflammation, aid digestion, relieve cramps and protect cells JP's Originals Rose Chai Tea £12 Natural health advocates claim rose tea can ease pain and inflammation, aid digestion, relieve cramps and even protect cells from 'damage'. It also smells gorgeous and is wonderfully soothing and relaxing to drink. harrods.com Grandkids go-to Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil £19 This TikTok-famous hair oil comes with tween and teen approval. The serum combines Mirsalehi honey, coconut and sweet almond oil to quench dry hair and repair damage right at the cuticle. Hair looks shinier, less frizzy and more supple – and we think it's the bee's knees. selfridges.com Gisou's TikTok-famous hair oil comes with tween and teen approval, as does the Owala Freesip water bottle Owala Freesip water bottle £23 Move over Stanley, the Owala is the new cult water bottle. The stainless-steel flask has triple-layer insulation to keep drinks cold, can be sipped or swigged, and comes with a flip-top that can be locked shut to keep germs out and stop leaks. It also comes in a dazzling array of colours. owalalife.com Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence gel £24.99 This serum, which went viral earlier this year, is made from snail slime – and is surprisingly effective. It reduces redness, hydrates the skin, smoothes blemishes and is safe for most skin types – including sensitive and young skin. selfridges.com Cosrx's serum reduces redness, hydrates the skin, smoothes blemishes and is safe for most skin types. Pickleball has taken Britain by storm, and is great for getting the kids moving Nettie Pickleball Set £140 Get the kids in your life moving with this fun pickleball set – the racket game that took Britain by storm this summer. The kit comes with two brightly coloured paddles, pickleballs and sweatbands – plus a handy tote bag to carry all the gear around. freepeople.com Beauty bonus boost Dermalogica Pro-Collagen Banking Serum £89 Y2K (the trendy term used by Gen Z to describe the 2000s) skincare brand Dermalogica is having a comeback with its heralded collagen serum – said to firm skin and protect it from pollution damage. selfridges.com Dermalogica's Pro-Collagen Banking Serum is said to firm skin and protect it from pollution damage, while Isamaya and Facegym's Sculpt tool helps release tension while contouring Isamaya x Facegym Sculpt 01 £50 It may look like a torture device, but Facegym's latest tool is nothing but pleasurable. Each part of the facial massager targets a different area of the face and scalp, releasing tension while contouring the jaw and lifting the brows. facegym.com Dyson Airwrap i.d. multistyler and dryer £479.99 Dyson's futuristic Airwrap – which uses hot air to curl or straighten hair without causing heat damage – produced with a new edition this year. This has six different brushes, dryers and curling barrels in two colours. dyson.co.uk Dyson's Airwrap uses hot air to curl or straighten hair without causing heat damage. Biodance's Bio-collagen Real Deep Mask is said to give flawless 'glass skin' Bio-collagen Real Deep Mask £28 These Korean collagen face masks by Biodance wowed fans on the internet this year – and are said to be the ultimate ticket to flawless 'glass skin'. The full-face mask turns clear when the ingredients have soaked in and peels off in a satisfying sheet. Box of four. superdrug.com Dream gifts Body Compression Sock £96 Ever heard the phrase 'sleep like a baby'? Now (at a price) you can. Swaddelini's adult swaddle helps cradle you to sleep, with soft fibres that allow for breathable compression. It's gone viral on TikTok thanks to those who've used it to help nod off during red-eye flights. swaddelini.com Swaddelini's adult swaddle helps cradle you to sleep, while Ross J. Barr's sleep patches go on your temples 15 minutes before bed to help ease you into sleep Ross J. Barr Sleep Patches £15 Pop these patches on your temples 15 minutes before bed to ease into sleep quickly and help deeper rest. They work best when you massage in the essential oils to release the herbs, and can be left on all night. rossbarr.com Ostrichpillow Heatbag £60 Did you know hot water bottles have a two-year lifespan – and ignoring this risks one bursting with disastrous consequences? This microwavable heatbag is great for soothing aches and pains, snuggling on the sofa, or keeping toes warm without the same dangers. ostrichpillow.co.uk Ostrichpillow's microwavable heatbag is great for soothing aches and pains. Briiv's air purifier uses natural materials to filter out toxins as you sleep Briiv Air Filter £329 ( briiv.co.uk ) Some studies estimate that indoor air pollution can be three-and-a-half times worse than outdoor pollution in British towns and cities, so it's vital to ensure the air in our homes is as clean as possible. This air purifier uses natural materials – equivalent to hundreds of houseplants – to filter out toxins as you sleep. TikTok Share or comment on this article: The ultimate good health gift guide: Boost your loved ones' wellbeing for 2025 with our health gurus' Christmas picks e-mail Add comment
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Get local news delivered to your inbox!David Jiricek makes a big first impression on Wild teammates: 'Holy s---, he’s tall'PTI’s reality check Such fall and such rise within 24 hours would constitute unimaginable dramatic shift in the affairs of country While an anxious nation was watching developments taking place in Islamabad on Tuesday, something significant happened in Karachi. The venue was the Pakistan Stock Exchange where the KSE-100 index suffered the biggest single-day plunge in its history. Equities, as they say, fell like ninepins. Obviously, the political situation had suddenly triggered a rush of panic among investors and businessmen. The market dropped by 3.6 per cent or 3,506 points. This means that the situation had become drastic, portending dire consequences. So, what was actually happening? But wait. The very next day, on Wednesday, the market recovered. Not just that, the benchmark index rose by 4.96 per cent or 4,696.09 points. And this marked the largest single-day surge in the index’s history. Such a fall and such a rise within the space of 24 hours would constitute an unimaginable dramatic shift in the affairs of a country. It would be hard for a writer of fiction to imagine a plot to justify this transformation. Well, we know what transpired around D-Chowk in Islamabad during the long night between Tuesday and Wednesday. The large procession of PTI protesters that had bravely breached the Red Zone was routed by the security forces when an operation was launched after nightfall. Its leaders, Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi quickly left the scene, and the protesters ran in confusion for safety. There is, of course, a story to tell about the entire encounter. The D-Day for the PTI’s march on Islamabad was set on November 24. In real terms, a battle was in the offing between the multitudes that the PTI was planning to mobilise and the security forces of the government. The PTI leaders boasted like boxers do before stepping in the ring. It was really meant to be a very serious confrontation, mainly because the PTI had named it the final, ‘do or die’ campaign to, in a sense, topple the present government and win the release of Imran Khan. Violence was inherent in this scheme. And it was violence that settled the score late on Tuesday night. Not unexpectedly, the PTI, not able to mount the show it had promised, lost the battle. One measure of this is the in-fighting that is taking place in the top ranks of the party. Thankfully, the heavens did not fall. There certainly was a lot of violence and the PTI leaders have claimed many deaths – the numbers being in dispute – of their activists from firing from the security forces. But the kind of upheaval that many observers had anticipated did not occur. In fact, the stage for long had been set for a scenario of national disaster if Imran Khan were not to be released and actions against the PTI were not retracted. I admit to also being very depressed about the overall political state of affairs. It was against this backdrop that the PTI decided to go for a final showdown with the government, primarily to put pressure to secure Imran Khan’s release. The nation held its breath. Let me give you some idea of how prominent analysts were looking at it. On Wednesday, I read these words by a respected columnist (penned surely before Tuesday night’s denouement): “Most worrisome, however, is that any direct confrontation between the protesters and the security forces could lead to a civil war-like situation with disastrous consequences for the safety and unity of the country”. A civil war? For the moment, the main strife is playing out in the PTI itself. Bushra Bibi, who is believed to have led Imran Khan to power with her supernatural tactics, is at the centre of wrangling over how the battle was lost. She had revealed her credentials when she said those words, alluding to Saudi Arabia. PTI supporters are at a loss to understand the setback that the party has suffered. Where were the millions who were supposed to have joined the march? Anyhow, what lessons do we have here about the politics of agitation? Was it ever realistic for the PTI to assume that it could stage a social revolution with the massive popular support it has? And, for that matter, what revolutionary ideas have the party articulated to lead the way for a brighter future? Not being able to adequately sum up the events of this week, I believe that this has been a sobering experience for all of us. This kind of confrontation, reflective of the intense polarisation that has polluted our politics, makes it even more difficult to resolve the fundamental issues that have made us so miserable. All the time that the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was playing his politics, sectarian violence continued to rage in Kurram and there were more killings despite a ceasefire. As for the preemptive measures adopted by the authorities to block the march of the protesters, the daily lives of the citizens of Islamabad and other cities were disrupted for days. Were there no less painful and more inventive ways to deal with the threat of the march and the ‘dharna’? A lot is happening on various fronts in the wake of Tuesday night’s retreat of the PTI’s march. PTI workers are incensed by the absence of many leaders from the march and the lack of courage of those who were there. Most of them are baffled by what has happened. There is a lot of confusion about the reported willingness of Imran Khan, who was allowed visits by party leaders in the early phase of the march to divert the march from D-Chowk. It seemed that Bushra Bibi insisted on proceeding towards D-Chowk, with dreadful consequences. Typically, there are surprising variations in statements made by PTI leaders regarding the deaths of PTI workers caused by security forces. Figures range from eight to that outlandish allegation of 278 deaths by Sardar Khosa. On its part, the government has rejected all these claims. Imran Khan’s charismatic appeal may be intact but the party, in its functional aspects, has broken. Can it be rebuilt as a less volatile outfit? The writer is a senior journalist. He can be reached at: ghazi_salahuddin@hotmail.com
