Google workers walk out to protest office harassment

Hundreds of Google employees and contractors in Asia staged brief midday walkouts, with thousands more expected to follow at offices worldwide, amid complaints of sexism, racism and unchecked executive power in their workplace.

In a statement, the organisers called on Google parent Alphabet to add an employee representative to its board of directors and internally share pay-equity data. They also asked for changes to Google’s human resources practices intended to make bringing harassment claims a fairer process.

Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai said in a statement, “Employees have raised constructive ideas” and that the company was “taking in all their feedback so we can turn these ideas into action.”

The dissatisfaction among Alphabet’s 94,000 employees and tens of thousands more contractors has not noticeably affected company shares. But employees expect Alphabet to face recruiting and retention challenges if their concerns go unaddressed.

The demonstrations follow a New York Times report last week that said Google in 2014 gave a $90 million exit package to Andy Rubin after the then-senior vice president was accused of sexual harassment.

Rubin denied the allegation in the story, which he also said contained “wild exaggerations” about his compensation. Google did not dispute the report.

The report energised a months-long movement inside Google to increase diversity, improve treatment of women and minorities and ensure the company upholds its motto of “don’t be evil” as it expands.

#GLOBALGIRL

Mahira goes Google

Television and film star Mahira Khan has recently started out doing a lot of awareness campaigns. She recently campaigned with the UN for the wellbeing of Afghani refugee children in Pakistan and was welcomed for her efforts.

The star is now doing a cancer awareness campaign for Shaukat Khanum Hospital. For the campaign, she went to California and visited the iconic headquarters of Google and Facebook.

The actress was there to talk to hundreds of people working at Google and Facebook. She held small conferences where she explained the work of Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Pakistan.

Mahira released a series of pictures of her visit to Facebook and Google HQ. She even thanked both the companies for having her on board. A lot of people working in the two companies really loved having her around.

#BETTERLATETHANNEVER

Ayyan Ali to return to homeland

Model Ayyan Ali was caught leaving the country with $506,000 on March 14, 2015. She was arrested at Islamabad airport while travelling to Dubai. The model has now announced that she will return to Pakistan soon.

Sharing her views on social media, the model said that she was unfairly charged in the case without any evidence. She said that she faced severe allegations although she didn’t cause any damage to Pakistan and her countrymen.

“People who thought it was a joke before saying whatever they wanted to utter from their mouths will get all their answers,” she declared, “All my cases now will be from a fresh start!”

Speaking to the media she said, “There were two others present with me at the airport in the video, why weren’t they caught? They didn’t face any investigation and were not taken into custody.” She has changed her team of lawyers in the case and upon her return, she will properly respond to all the statements made against her.

Ayyan also shared that she has been facing mental illnesses and, in fact, even had a minor heart attack once.

In November 2015, Ayyan pleaded guilty when she was accused of trying to smuggle more than half a million dollars in cash out of the country. Her name was also put on the Exit Control List which was eventually lifted in February this year.

#ANIMALKINGDOM

A ‘Style’ Moment

Gucci did a great deed and shot Harry Styles again for its cruise men's tailoring campaign. The fashion house’s new campaign features the former One Direction singer sweetly cavorting with lambs and baby goats, proving he still lights up the world like nobody else. The sooting took place in the gardens of the historic Villa Lante, north of Rome. And it really is quite a lot of cuteness and hotness to simultaneously take in.

#HALLOWEEN

Fantast Pop Up

While there are a lot of private costume parties held all over Pakistan on Halloween, the celebrities took it up a whole new level this time. Renowned makeup artist Nabila held a Halloween Party ‘Fantasy Pop Up’ and here are the results.

Her team dressed up celebrities inspired by cult classic characters as well as some original characters. The makeup is so good that you can barely tell who is behind. Can you guess the celebrities behind all that makeup?