Epilogue
Jasson Dominguez belts three homers as Yankees roll past A's
Jasson Dominguez Belts Three Homers as Yankees Roll Past A's OAKLAND, CA — Jasson Dominguez delivered a performance for the ages on Friday night, smashing three home runs and driving in six runs to lead the New York Yankees to a dominant 10–3 victory over the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum.
By Rasel Ahmed8 months ago in Chapters
Roundball Rocked: With NBA Return Looming, NBC Purges Scripted Roster
NBC is making a significant shift in its programming strategy as it prepares for the return of NBA broadcasts in the 2025–26 season. The network is reportedly reducing its scripted content to accommodate a robust slate of live basketball coverage, marking a major pivot in its primetime lineup.
By Rasel Ahmed8 months ago in Chapters
‘Found’ Canceled By NBC After 2 Seasons. Content Warning. AI-Generated.
NBC has officially canceled its drama series Found after two seasons, concluding the show’s run following its Season 2 finale in May 2025. The decision comes despite the series' strong initial performance and critical acclaim.
By Rasel Ahmed8 months ago in Chapters
2025 India-Pakistan War: Nuclear Tensions, Drone Strikes & Global Concerns
The 2025 India-Pakistan War: A Chronicle of Escalation, Misrepresentation, and Human Suffering Introduction: A Spark Ignited into a BlazeThe long-standing tensions between India and Pakistan flared into open conflict once again in early 2025, marking one of the most dangerous military confrontations in South Asia since the Kargil War of 1999. Though diplomatic channels existed, the failure of backdoor negotiations, escalations on the Line of Control, and cross-border skirmishes rapidly spiraled into a full-blown war. Both nations, armed with powerful conventional and nuclear forces, have now plunged into a dangerously volatile phase with high civilian casualties and a complete breakdown of bilateral trust. A Timeline of Escalations: From Border Skirmishes to Full-Scale Airstrikes The conflict began with intense artillery exchanges across the Line of Control (LoC) in January 2025. Indian forces accused Pakistan of harboring militants involved in attacks on Indian military installations in Jammu and Kashmir. In response, Pakistan denied the allegations and accused India of fabricating justifications for cross-border aggression. By February 2025, India launched multiple airstrikes, claiming to target terror camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and deeper into Pakistan’s Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. However, independent sources and on-ground reports revealed that the targets were not militant hideouts but civilian areas. The most alarming attack took place in the city of Bhakkar, where missiles struck a crowded mosque during Friday prayers, killing at least 58 civilians and injuring over 100. India's official statement referred to the site as a "radical training compound," but satellite imagery and third-party assessments confirmed that the location had no military significance. In retaliation, Pakistan launched a series of precision strikes on Indian army bunkers along the LoC and deep into Indian territory in Rajasthan and Punjab. The Pakistani government maintained that all its operations were strictly military in nature, targeting ammunition depots, radar installations, and logistic hubs. The False Narrative of 'Counter-Terrorism': India’s Claim vs. Ground Reality One of the most disturbing aspects of this conflict has been the dissemination of misleading narratives. India has consistently claimed that its airstrikes and missile attacks are aimed at "neutralizing terrorist threats." However, detailed independent investigations by international observers, including UN satellite surveillance teams and journalists from neutral countries, contradict this claim. The village of Kot Azam in South Punjab was obliterated by an Indian missile on March 3rd. Indian media stated it was a hub of Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives, yet the only buildings destroyed were a government school, a maternity clinic, and residential homes. Of the 39 casualties, 21 were women and children. This pattern repeats across multiple strike zones: Charsadda, Faisalabad outskirts, and even a refugee camp in Tharparkar, where hundreds of displaced Kashmiris were temporarily housed. India has refused to allow foreign journalists into the targeted areas under its control, raising further questions about the credibility of its public statements. Conversely, Pakistan has facilitated limited access to global media and aid organizations, albeit under military escort, showing scenes of widespread devastation in civilian zones. A Section Without Headings: The Faces Behind the Statistics The impact of this war cannot be measured solely in numbers or strategic gains. Beyond the military movements and political declarations lies a human catastrophe that both governments have failed to adequately address. In the narrow lanes of Chakwal, where a missile hit a religious seminary, the remains of children’s books, blood-stained prayer rugs, and shattered windows tell a tale that no press release can capture. Twelve children under the age of ten were killed, along with their teacher. Their parents now sit beside the rubble in silent mourning, the sound of jet engines overhead reminding them that peace is nowhere in sight. In Umerkot, where a convoy of Indian missiles hit a rural farming community, farmers who had never seen a gun in their lives now bury their dead in fields once ripe with wheat. "They said there were terrorists among us," says an elderly man who lost three grandsons. "But the only thing we were growing was grain, not hatred." Meanwhile, in Amritsar, an Indian army base was targeted by Pakistani drones. A young Indian soldier, who had just returned from leave, was among the dead. His brother, speaking to media in a hushed voice, said, “He never wanted war. He was just doing his duty.” These are not stories of enemy combatants; they are stories of sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, who are casualties in a war waged over narratives and power, not justice or survival. The Role of International Community: Silent Spectators or Strategic Players? The United Nations, despite urgent calls from both governments, has largely limited its involvement to issuing appeals for restraint. China and Russia have taken neutral stances publicly but are reportedly engaged in secret diplomacy with both sides. The United States has shown vocal support for India in its public statements, referring to India’s “right to self-defense,” but has privately expressed concern over the credibility of the intelligence guiding India’s strikes. Iran and Turkey have condemned Indian aggression, particularly highlighting the attacks on mosques and civilian homes. On the other hand, the European Union has proposed the formation of a South Asian Peace Commission to monitor the conflict and negotiate a ceasefire, though the proposal remains unapproved by both New Delhi and Islamabad. Pakistan’s Strategic and Moral Positioning in the Conflict Pakistan has tried to maintain a defensive posture, emphasizing sovereignty and protection of its population rather than seeking territorial gain. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his address to the nation, declared, “We do not seek war, but we will not let injustice befall our people without consequence.” He further stressed the importance of unity, media integrity, and national resilience. Pakistan’s military strategy has so far avoided densely populated Indian cities, instead focusing on military logistics and air bases. Analysts suggest that Pakistan’s deliberate avoidance of civilian targets may serve to bolster its international legitimacy and moral standing. The Propaganda War: Misinformation, Digital Chaos, and Media Blackouts Another dimension of this war is being fought online. Social media platforms have become battlegrounds for misinformation, doctored videos, and psychological warfare. Indian state media has repeatedly aired footage of alleged terror compounds that upon scrutiny were either outdated, misrepresented, or entirely fictional. On the Pakistani side, national channels have focused on humanitarian tragedies, but sometimes exaggerated figures have raised concerns about factual accuracy. Internet blackouts in Kashmir, Punjab, and parts of Sindh have further clouded the ability of citizens to communicate or report events firsthand. The manipulation of information, suppression of voices, and the use of media to fuel public anger pose a long-term threat even greater than military casualties—eroding trust, fueling nationalism, and obstructing future peace.
By Umair Ali Shah 8 months ago in Chapters
"The Bundle of Sticks"
Once upon a time in the sunny farmland of Greenvale, a kind farmer named Daniel lived with his three young children in a cozy wooden house. His children were Toby, a strong and spirited boy of twelve; Maya, a clever and creative girl of ten; and Sam, a curious and playful boy of eight. Every morning, the three siblings helped their father with chores around the farm. But Toby, Maya, and Sam often quarreled with each other about who had the better ideas and who should do the hardest tasks. One spring morning, Farmer Daniel asked his children to gather sticks and twine from the woodpile to help him build a new fence around the vegetable garden. The chores were heavy, and the children rushed outside with armfuls of sticks and some old ropes. Toby marched up to the woodpile and said proudly, “I’ll grab the strongest, thickest sticks. I can lift heavy things easily!” Maya smiled and thought, “I know how to use clever knots to make anything work!” and ran to gather long straight sticks. Sam, the youngest, skipped behind them, excited to help in his own way. As they worked, Toby announced, “I can carry more sticks than both of you combined!” Maya rolled her eyes. “You just pick the biggest ones, but I have better knots. Watch me tie this bundle tight,” she said as she carefully twisted the twine around a handful of sticks. Sam hopped around and added a few small branches to their bundles, but mostly got in the way. Soon, the two older siblings began to argue loudly with each other over the best way to do the job. Toby insisted his way was stronger, while Maya countered that her way was smarter. Sam, unsure of what to do, stood aside worriedly as their voices grew louder. “Stop arguing!” called Farmer Daniel, stepping out from the house with a gentle smile. He gathered the children around and said, “Let me show you something.” Daniel then collected a few sticks and some twine from the woodpile. He said, “Now, each of you try to break this single stick.” Toby and Maya each took a turn bending a thick stick until, with a quick snap, it broke easily in their hands. Sam pushed with a smaller stick, and it cracked too. Daniel smiled and said, “See? One stick alone is not very strong.” Next, Daniel held up a bundle of sticks tied together tightly with twine. “Now try to break this bundle,” he challenged. Toby tugged at one end and Maya pulled the other with all their might, and Sam pushed as hard as he could, but the bundle would not break. They all gasped as the sticks stayed firmly in place. Toby exclaimed in surprise, “We can’t break it!” Maya’s eyes widened. “It’s stuck together too tight,” Sam added, amazed. Daniel smiled as he untied the bundle and then easily broke each stick apart again. The three children watched in wonder. Daniel gathered the sticks in his arms and looked at the children. “Each stick alone can be broken very easily,” he explained, “but a bundle of sticks, tied together, is much stronger. The twine represents how you work together as a family. When you cooperate and help each other, even the biggest problems become easier to solve.” The lesson settled in their hearts. With new understanding, the siblings grabbed sticks and rope together and worked side by side to finish the fence around the garden. This time, they laughed and helped each other as they tied and lifted and hammered. Farmer Daniel watched proudly as his children worked, clapping his hands, and said, “See what you can accomplish by working together?” Later that afternoon, dark clouds gathered over Greenvale. Farmer Daniel had gone to the town market, trusting his children to finish their chores on their own. Without warning, a spring storm blew in with strong winds and heavy rain. The siblings watched in alarm as the wind whipped through the fields. The scarecrow in the cornfield toppled over, and a tall tree branch fell dangerously near the garden fence they had just built. Maya gasped, “The fence is about to break!” Toby peered through the pouring rain at the bent wooden post. “And the wind will blow off the roof tiles if we don’t fix it!” Sam shouted as he spotted a loose board on the roof. The three children sprang into action, remembering their father’s lesson. “We have to work together, just like Dad taught us!” Toby yelled over the wind. Maya grabbed extra twine, Sam ran to fetch stones and heavy logs, and Toby pulled out wooden boards from the shed. Working quickly, the three siblings managed to protect the farm. Maya tied a board firmly to the fence post with twine, reinforcing it against the wind. Sam piled stones against the base of the fence to keep it from tilting. Toby lifted the loose roof panels of the chicken coop and Maya helped tie them down. Toby and Sam held the ladder steady while Maya climbed up to secure the roof tiles. All through the storm, they stayed focused and helped each other with every task. Even in the roaring wind, the children felt steady because they were together as a team. Together they lifted heavy logs to block the muddy floodwater from flowing into the garden. Each time the gale blew, one child would steady a task and the others would lend a hand. Slowly, the storm began to lose its fury. The roof held firm, the fence stayed upright, and the garden, though soaked, was safe from damage. When their father returned home later that night, he saw the storm had passed and found the children still busy in the yard, tying up the last loose ropes and securing the gate. Farmer Daniel beamed with pride as he watched them. “I see you remembered today’s lesson,” he said, clapping his hands. Toby, Maya, and Sam shared a proud smile as they realized that by sticking together, they had kept the farm safe. Their quarrels seemed very small now compared to what they had accomplished. That evening, as the family sat together by the fireplace sipping warm cocoa, Daniel put his arms around Toby, Maya, and Sam. “I’m very proud of you,” he said softly. “You were just like that bundle of sticks—unbreakable when you stayed together.” The children smiled at each other, understanding the lesson clearly now. They knew they would never forget how working together had saved their home. From that day on, the siblings hardly ever argued during chores. They remembered that alone they were like single sticks, but together they were a strong, unbreakable bundle. The farm thrived, and the children grew up valuing their teamwork and family bond. Moral: United we stand, divided we fall. Working together makes us strong, just like a bundle of sticks that cannot be broken easily.
By Ibad haidar9 months ago in Chapters
What Really Happened: The Untold Truth Behind My Social Media Break. AI-Generated.
Start writing...Why I Logged Off, What I Learned, and How It Changed Me I didn’t plan to disappear. One day I just stopped replying, stopped posting, stopped checking. At first, it was accidental—a missed notification here, an ignored message there. But by the end of that week, I realized I hadn’t opened Instagram or Twitter in days. And more surprisingly, I didn’t miss it.
By Muhammad Rehan9 months ago in Chapters
Google Takes Aim at Duolingo With AI Tools To Help You Learn New Languages. Content Warning.
Google is stepping up its game in the language-learning space by integrating new AI-powered tools to compete with platforms like Duolingo. What we do know so far: Google’s AI-Powered Language Learning Features
By Samsul Arefin.9 months ago in Chapters
