Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • New Yorkers set to pick Zohran Mamdani as first Muslim mayor

    New Yorkers set to pick Zohran Mamdani as first Muslim mayor

    New Yorkers are poised to elect socialist democrat Zohran Mamdani as their next mayor on Tuesday, a move that could trigger a political clash with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has already threatened to punish the city if the Muslim favourite wins.

    Mamdani’s rise has dominated headlines as he leads the latest AtlasIntel poll with 41 percent support, seven points ahead of former state governor Andrew Cuomo, who stands at 34 percent. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa trails with 24 percent, though his supporters could still tilt the outcome if they swing toward Cuomo.

    The 34-year-old Uganda-born state assembly member describes himself as a socialist and has built his campaign on lowering living costs for ordinary New Yorkers. If elected, he will become the city’s first Muslim mayor, a historic milestone that has drawn both enthusiasm and hostility.

    Far-right Republicans have criticized Mamdani for a campaign video he delivered last week in Arabic, while Trump has openly warned that federal funds for New York could dry up if the leftist candidate wins.

    “If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home,” Trump wrote on social media.

    Mamdani fired back during a canvassing event in Queens, saying, “What was rumored, what was feared has become naked and unabashed — the ‘MAGA’ movement’s embrace of Andrew Cuomo.”

    Polls opened at 6 a.m. and will close at 9 p.m., with early voting already setting records. More than 735,000 ballots were cast ahead of Election Day, the highest early turnout in the city’s history.

    In a final push before voting, Mamdani hit nightclubs over the Halloween weekend, appearing at an event called “Papi Juice” without ditching his signature dark suit. Cuomo toured all five boroughs on Monday, while Sliwa crisscrossed the city with his “tough on crime” message.

    Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, who dropped out after his reelection campaign faltered amid corruption scandals, endorsed Cuomo in the race.

    Political analysts say a Mamdani victory would mark a defining moment in U.S. urban politics and could test the boundaries of federal-local relations under Trump.

    “Trump will treat New York City more aggressively,” said Grant Reeher, a political science professor at Syracuse University. “There will be some kind of political showdown.”

    Mamdani’s rise has also rattled the Democratic Party, which remains divided over whether to lean centrist or embrace a more populist left-wing direction.

    “I think that this has to be a party that actually allows Americans to see themselves in it and not just be a mirror image of just a few people who are engaged in politics,” Mamdani said at a dance event with seniors on Friday.

    While New York’s mayoral race grabs attention, voters in Virginia and New Jersey are also casting ballots for governor, contests seen as crucial indicators of America’s political mood nearly ten months into Trump’s combative presidency.

    In New Jersey, Democrat Mikie Sherrill faces Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a Trump-backed businessman, in a neck-and-neck race. In Virginia, Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger holds a steady lead over Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears.

    Former President Barack Obama campaigned for both Democratic candidates over the weekend and reportedly spoke with Mamdani as well, though he stopped short of endorsing him, a reflection of the internal struggle within the Democratic Party over its future direction.

  • $636 billion worth of gold reserves found in Tarbela Dam soil

    $636 billion worth of gold reserves found in Tarbela Dam soil

    Air Karachi chairman and former senior vice president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Hanif Gohar has said that gold reserves valued at $636 billion have been discovered in the soil of Tarbela Dam.

    Speaking to reporters at the Karachi Press Club on Monday, Gohar said that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir have formally been informed about the discovery and have responded positively to the briefing.

    He went on to say that divers collected soil samples from inside the dam, which were then analysed in a laboratory to determine the gold content.

    “By extrapolating the results, the estimated total value of gold in the dam’s soil stands at $636 billion,” Gohar said, adding that it could pay off Pakistan’s national debt.

    He said the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) must undertake the project itself, but if not, his company was ready to invest, extract the gold and hand it over to the country.

    Gohar said his team was prepared and has already held discussions with dredging experts in Holland, as well as partners in Amsterdam and Canada. “If the government gives us the green light, we are ready to execute this project,” he said.

    Earlier, he also talked about Air Karachi, announcing that the airline’s domestic operations would commence on March 23, 2026.

    The airline will initially have a fleet of three to five Airbus aircraft and international flights would begin after a year of successful domestic operations.

  • Big decisions expected as PCB, franchises meet over PSL future

    Big decisions expected as PCB, franchises meet over PSL future

    Pakistan Super League (PSL) management and franchise owners will hold an important meeting today at the National Cricket Academy.

    According to reports, the franchise owners had requested the PSL management to call this meeting, and the board accepted their request. The meeting will address concerns related to PSL 2026 and 2027, while PCB officials will also present their stance.

    All six franchises, including Multan Sultans, have been invited to attend. Franchise owners have asked for a detailed briefing on commercial matters, the event window, and the EY evaluation report.

    Reports added that the owners have also demanded clarity on the two-year title sponsorship agreement and its process.

    The PCB has decided to add two new teams to Pakistan Super League. With the league completing ten years, the board plans to sign a new agreement with existing franchises later this month.

    PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer said the league will expand its matches beyond Lahore, Karachi, Multan, and Rawalpindi to include Faisalabad and Peshawar.

    He added that the PCB will issue tenders for the new team in November.

  • Liaqat Mehsood’s guard opens fire after dumper takes another life in Karachi

    Liaqat Mehsood’s guard opens fire after dumper takes another life in Karachi

    Tension gripped Karachi’s Nishtar Road area on Monday after a dumper ran over a pedestrian, killing him on the spot. The incident triggered violent protests, and angry citizens set the vehicle on fire.

    Police identified the victim as Shahzaib, a resident of Garden. His wife also suffered injuries in the accident. Officers arrested the driver Niaz Hussain as he tried to flee. They took him to the Garden Police Station for questioning and started checking his criminal record and CCTV footage from the scene.

    The situation worsened when Dumper Association President Liaqat Mehsood arrived at the site with armed guards. The crowd grew hostile after spotting him and began protesting in front of his vehicle, chanting slogans against him.

    Eyewitnesses said one of Mehsood’s guards fired shots in the air while leaving the area. Fortunately, no one got hurt.

    People at the scene accused Mehsood of caring more about his trucks than the victims, saying he always appears after such incidents but never takes responsibility.

    Later, Mehsood announced plans to block the National Highway in protest. He said protesters attacked him and burned the dumper involved in the accident. He also said he called police officials and demanded more security at the site.

    Police continue to investigate the case.

  • Shaheen Afridi reacts to his appointment as ODI captain

    Shaheen Afridi reacts to his appointment as ODI captain

    Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi expressed pride and excitement after being appointed Pakistan’s ODI captain.

    The 25-year-old left-arm pacer took over the captaincy from wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan last month and will now lead Pakistan in the 50-over format for the first time.

    Speaking at a pre-series press conference, Shaheen called it an “honour and responsibility” to lead the national side, emphasizing teamwork and respect for the management’s decisions.

    “It’s an honour to represent Pakistan as captain,” Shaheen said. “Wearing the national colours is always special, and with this new role comes added responsibility.”

    He said Pakistan carried good momentum from the T20I series against South Africa and aimed to continue the same energy in the ODIs.

    “The boys are in good rhythm after a strong T20 series. Our focus now is to carry that energy into one-day cricket and improve in the areas that matter,” he added.

    When asked about leadership changes and his previous experience as T20I captain, Shaheen remained composed and focused on his goals.

    “Our job is to play cricket and serve Pakistan in whatever role we’re given,” he stated.

    “Leadership decisions rest with the board and management, and we respect that. My only focus right now is on performing well and helping the team grow in ODIs.”

    The star pacer also praised Babar Azam, who recently returned to form in the T20I series, calling him one of Pakistan’s most dependable performers.

    “Every player goes through ups and downs. Babar’s class is never in doubt,” Shaheen said.

    “Just because he doesn’t perform in a couple of matches doesn’t make him a bad player. For the last four or five years, he’s been our most consistent performer and the highest run-scorer in both T20Is and ODIs.”

    “Whenever our senior players contribute, the team ends up winning. Babar’s return to form is a huge boost for us.”

    Shaheen will lead Pakistan in a three-match ODI series against South Africa, which will be played from November 4 to 8 in Faisalabad.

  • Tape-ball craze: Tamour Mirza signs record Rs3 crore deal with sports brand

    Tape-ball craze: Tamour Mirza signs record Rs3 crore deal with sports brand

    Pakistani tape-ball star Tamour Mirza has made history by signing a record Rs30 million endorsement deal with a sports equipment company – making it the biggest ever for the grassroots format.

    As per the details, the deal with F Plus was signed at a local hotel in Lahore, and the ceremony was attended by national cricketer Haider Ali among several other sports personalities.

    The deal marks a major step in recognising tape-ball cricket as a serious and fast-growing part of Pakistan’s sporting culture.

    Speaking at the event, Mirza said the partnership was beyond personal achievement. “This is not just about me… it’s about giving tape-ball cricket the respect it deserves and motivating young players across Pakistan.”

    Mirza added that such collaborations could attract more sponsors and support for the format that has long served as a launchpad for emerging cricket talent in the country.

    Flisky Aneer Arslan, a representative of the company, praised Mirza’s influence and announced plans to launch a new range of high-performance tape-ball bats designed for the format.

    “We want to take tape-ball cricket to the next level by providing players with top-quality gear,” Arslan said.

  • Lahore High Court issues notice to cybercrime agency on Ducky Bhai’s bail plea

    Lahore High Court issues notice to cybercrime agency on Ducky Bhai’s bail plea

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday issued notices to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on a petition filed by YouTuber Saadur Rehman aka Ducky Bhai, seeking bail in the gambling apps promotion case against him.

    According to reports, Justice Farooq Haider heard the plea that said NCCIA officials arrested him from Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport on August 17 while he was leaving the country for an event.

    He, however, had not received any notice to appear before the agency for questioning prior to the arrest, stated the plea submitted by his legal team after his earlier bail pleas were dismissed.

    According to the petition, Ducky Bhai remained in the agency’s custody for 22 days after his arrest, and both a judicial magistrate and an additional sessions judge rejected his bail pleas in September and October. It also said that two others arrested with him, Subhan Sharif and Asad Nadeem Mughal, were later released.

    Hearing the petition, Justice Haider directed the NCCIA to submit its response in the case.

    It may be noted that the case against Ducky Bhai was registered under sections 13 (electronic forgery), 14 (electronic fraud), 25 (spamming) and 26 (spoofing) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016. It also includes sections 294-B (offering prize in connection with trade) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

    The FIR claimed that the public lost their money after investing in gambling and betting applications promoted on Ducky’s YouTube channel.

    It alleged that he promoted platforms such as 1xBet, Bet365, B9 Game and Binomo, and even acted as a country manager for one of them.

  • ‘Don’t like it’: Wasim Akram opens up about mixing sports with politics

    ‘Don’t like it’: Wasim Akram opens up about mixing sports with politics

    Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has shared his honest thoughts on what’s damaging the spirit of the game, urging cricket authorities to bring fairness and unity back to the sport.

    In an interview with Wisden, the legendary fast bowler said, “What I don’t like in cricket is politics. I am sorry. Straightforward. Sports should be away from politics.”

    Akram said cricket has become increasingly divided and urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) and national boards to take responsibility. “Pick every player from every nation. Be brave, be bigger, but that’s not happening. That’s where I think the ICC comes in. That’s where cricket boards come in. It doesn’t matter who owns the leagues, doesn’t matter who owns the teams in the leagues, every player from every nation should be picked up,” he added.

    Akram’s remarks come in the backdrop of rising tension and visible divisions in international cricket. 

    During the 2025 Asia Cup, India’s conduct became a major talking point after Indian players avoided handshakes with Pakistani cricketers. The controversy deepened when the Indian team declined to accept the trophy from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi during the presentation ceremony.

  • ‘They don’t tell you about it’; Donald Trump claims Pakistan conducts secret nuclear tests

    ‘They don’t tell you about it’; Donald Trump claims Pakistan conducts secret nuclear tests

    US President Donald Trump has claimed that Pakistan is among a few countries conducting nuclear tests, saying he does not want America to be the only nation that does not.

    Speaking on CBS’s 60 Minutes, Trump said, “North Korea is testing, Pakistan is testing, but they don’t tell you about it.” The remark came when he was asked about his recent directive to the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing.

    Trump had recently posted on social media that he instructed the Department of Defense to “immediately” restart nuclear testing. His statement sparked confusion over whether he planned to authorize America’s first nuclear detonation since 1992.

    When asked about it, Trump said, “We have more nuclear weapons than any country. I think we should do something about disarmament. I’ve spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping about it.”

    He continued, “We have enough nuclear weapons to destroy the world 150 times. Russia has many, and China likely does too.”

    When the interviewer asked why the US needed to test its weapons, Trump replied, “Because you have to see how they work. Russia announced it would test. North Korea keeps testing. Other countries are doing it. We are the only country that doesn’t. I don’t want us to be the only one not doing it.”

    The host pointed out that apart from North Korea, no country is conducting nuclear tests, as Russia and China have not tested since the 1990s. Trump disagreed, saying, “Russia and China do it, you just don’t know. They do underground testing where no one can detect it.”

    He added, “We are an open society. We talk about it. In Russia or China, there are no reporters to cover such things. You report it here, that’s why people know.”

    Trump said the US must continue testing. “We need to test our weapons; otherwise, we don’t know if they work. North Korea does it. Pakistan does it. They don’t tell you. They do it deep underground where no one knows. You just feel a little tremor.”

    He added that while he doesn’t want to use nuclear weapons, the US must remain prepared. “We don’t want to use them, but we have to make sure they work.”

    Pakistan has not yet commented on Trump’s remarks.

  • Lahore fintech owner with cars worth Rs2.741 billion, influencer who visited 25 countries land on FBR’s radar

    Lahore fintech owner with cars worth Rs2.741 billion, influencer who visited 25 countries land on FBR’s radar

    The Lifestyle Monitoring Cell of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has initiated action against certain taxpayers who have been flaunting their lavish lifestyles but are declaring negligible amounts as income in their tax returns.

    According to reports, the watchdog has dispatched the details of the alleged tax-evaders to the headquarters and respective Regional Tax Offices (RTOs) to initiate formal proceedings against at least one Lahore-based fintech company owner, a travel vlogger and a social media influencer.

    The owner of the fintech company owns 30 latest-model luxury vehicles worth Rs2.741 billion, among which are two Lamborghini Aventadors worth Rs300 million and a Rolls Royce Phantom worth Rs250 million.

    On the other hand, social media content by the travel influencer showed she travelled to more than 25 countries between 2021 to 2025, but declared income between Rs442,046 to Rs3.79 million.

    Another influencer, model and content creator from Islamabad traveled to 13 countries and owns several luxury products but declared her income as between Rs3.5 million to Rs5.49 million over the past few years.

    Among her possessions are a Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM Handbag, Gucci apparel and accessories, Dior Book Tote Bag, Rolex Watch, high-end winter apparel, luxury resort wear accessories and expensive electric gadgets. She also transitioned from Honda Civic to a Toyota Land Cruiser V8.

    It may be noted that the action comes a month after it was reported that FBR has collected data of around 100,000 individuals flaunting their wealth on social media, with the revenue watchdog poised to take action against them.


     
    The tax watchdog made it clear that individuals who provide accurate and updated information in their income tax returns will not be penalised. However, those who fail to disclose their lavish spending or luxury assets risk facing strict legal consequences.


     
    Officials had urged citizens to update their tax returns promptly to avoid complications.