Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Radiohead’s Thom Yorke says he would ‘absolutely not’ play in Israel

    Radiohead’s Thom Yorke says he would ‘absolutely not’ play in Israel

    Thom Yorke, the lead singer of the legendary band Radiohead, has said that he will no longer perform in Israel — a clear shift from the band’s controversial decision to play in Tel Aviv eight years ago, despite widespread criticism from pro-Palestinian activists.

     

    “Absolutely not. I wouldn’t want to be 5,000 miles anywhere near the Netanyahu regime,” Yorke told The Sunday Times Magazine, referencing Israel’s prime minister and his government.

     

    The interview, conducted before the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, comes as Radiohead prepare to embark on their first tour in seven years, with 20 shows scheduled across five European cities. Even before the tour dates were announced, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) urged fans to boycott the band, citing guitarist Jonny Greenwood’s performance in Tel Aviv in 2024.

     

    Radiohead’s 2016–2018 A Moon Shaped Pool tour stirred major backlash after the group performed in Israel, defying calls from figures like director Ken Loach to cancel. At the time, Yorke defended the move, arguing on X (formerly Twitter): “Playing in a country isn’t the same as endorsing its government. We’ve played in Israel for over 20 years… We don’t endorse Netanyahu any more than we endorsed Trump, but we still play in America.”

     

    Yorke, who once called the BDS movement “patronising” and “offensive,” now appears to view that decision differently. He recalled feeling “horrified” when a “clearly connected high-up” Israeli official thanked the band personally for their 2017 performance.

     

    The band’s connection to Israel has remained a source of tension. Last year, Yorke briefly walked off stage during a solo concert in Australia after an activist accused him of staying silent on Gaza. He later issued a statement condemning Netanyahu’s government as “extremists who need to be stopped.”

     

    Meanwhile, Greenwood — whose wife is Israeli — has continued to face scrutiny for his collaborations with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa, though he has also joined anti-Netanyahu protests in Israel. “I’m not ashamed of working with Arab and Jewish musicians,” he told The Sunday Times, adding that he still spends significant time there with his family.

  • Pakistan to be part of Gaza peacekeeping force: News reports

    Pakistan to be part of Gaza peacekeeping force: News reports

    Discussions within the government and the military are at an advanced stage to finalise whether Pakistan will be sending troops to Gaza as part of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF).

    Official sources have told news outlets that Pakistan is leaning towards sending troops to secure Gaza, for the international peace-keeping mission.


    The ISF is part of the US-brokered peace agreement and consists of troops from Muslim-majority countries.


    The force will maintain internal security, help in disarming Hamas, secure borders and also help with humanitarian relief. They will be working under a transitional Palestinian authority and help with reconstruction of the city.


    The US has already stated that they will not be sending US soldiers and the force might include troops from Indonesia, the UAE, Egypt, Qatar and Azerbaijan.


    Turkey was also on the list but Israel has openly opposed Turkey’s inclusion in the ISF because of the Turkish President Tayyib Erdogan’s open criticism of Israel. Israeli PM Netanyahu has also said that Israel will decide who to allow in Gaza and hinted that Turkey would not be included.


    Israeli media has reported that members of the Israeli parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee were told during a closed-door briefing that the ISF would comprise troops from Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Indonesia, and would help Israel in ‘securing borders and preventing weapons being smuggled into the territory’. 


    Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Jordan and Egypt recently, while reports have come to light post his visit.  His visit was described as promoting ties but reports suggest that implementation of the Gaza peace plan was also discussed in depth. 

    Both the meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II included appreciation and acknowledgement of Pakistan’s role and contribution towards peace and regional security. 


    There is little information yet about how the security force will be deployed, but according to news sources, an unnamed Pakistani official has stated that Pakistan prefers it be under a UN mandate.


    In the past, Pakistan has deployed more than 200,000 Pakistanis to the United Nations peace force, across 40 operations in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

  • FIA arrests six cybercrime officers, registers case against nine for misuse of power

    FIA arrests six cybercrime officers, registers case against nine for misuse of power

    A case has been filed with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against nine officers of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) for allegedly misusing their authority, media reports have stated.

    The case includes six officers who were missing for several days before the FIA confirmed their arrest on charges of bribery and abuse of power. An FIR was lodged on the complaint of Aroob Jatoi, wife of YouTuber Saadur Rehman, also known as Ducky Bhai, who is under arrest on charges of promoting gambling apps on social media.

    Those named in the FIR include Additional Director Sarfraz, Acting Lahore Deputy Director Zawar Ahmad, Sub-Inspector Ali Raza, Assistant Director Shoaib Riaz, Sub-Inspector Yasir Ramzan, Assistant Director Mujtaba Zafar, Islamabad Deputy Director Operations Muhammad Usman, Deputy Director Ayaz Khan, and Salman Aziz.

    The FIA has registered the case under Sections 109 and 161 of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with Section 5(2)47 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which deals with criminal misconduct by public servants.

    Earlier, the lawyer representing the six arrested officers submitted an application to a Lahore judicial magistrate, demanding their immediate production before court. The application, filed by Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, claimed that neither the officers’ families nor their lawyers had been allowed to meet them since the arrests.

    The lawyer argued that the FIA’s actions violated the Constitution and legal procedures outlined in the Criminal Procedure Code and Police Rules. He said the officials should have been presented before a court within 24 hours of detention.

    He added that such practices amounted to illegal confinement and violated the suspects’ fundamental rights under Articles 9, 10, and 10A of the Constitution. The plea also urged the court to direct the FIA’s Lahore director and deputy director to produce the detained officers immediately “in the interest of justice.”

    Reports suggest that Additional Director Sarfraz was previously transferred to Islamabad following multiple controversies, including investigations into YouTubers such as Ducky Bhai and Rajab Butt for their alleged links with online gambling and unregulated trading.

    According to reports, the missing officers’ disappearance was linked to the ongoing probes into social media influencers and related financial crimes.

    Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court last week granted police one more week to trace missing Cybercrime Deputy Director Muhammad Usman. His wife, Rozina Usman, had earlier filed a petition claiming that armed men abducted her husband on October 14. 

    The court also noted that Rozina herself went missing after filing the plea, and it sought updated reports from the police on both disappearances.

  • Robbers loot PPP MNA’s house, hold family hostage for hours

    Robbers loot PPP MNA’s house, hold family hostage for hours

    A group of armed robbers stormed the residence of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Zulfiqar Ali Behan near Moro town on Monday morning and fled with cash and valuables worth millions of rupees, media reports have stated. 

    The robbers held Behan’s family hostage inside their home in Dheran village, Naushahro Feroze district, before escaping in the lawmaker’s Vigo and another car. Police later found the Vigo abandoned a few kilometres away near Dars police station.

    Initial reports said the robbers climbed the outer wall to enter the residence and collected jewellery, cash, and other valuables. MNA Behan was not at home when the incident took place.

    Police teams, including forensic and tracking units, reached the spot to investigate. Naushahro Feroze SSP Mir Rohal Khan Khoso oversaw the operation and expressed confidence that the culprits would be traced soon.

    Speaking to reporters, MNA Behan said the robbery could be part of a “conspiracy involving some influential figures in the area.”

    A formal FIR had not been registered till the latest updates. 

    Police have launched an investigation and are searching for the culprits.

  • Indian athlete Rohini Kalam found dead at home

    Indian athlete Rohini Kalam found dead at home

    Indian jujutsu athlete Rohini Kalam, 35, who represented India at Asian Games in 2022, was found dead at her home in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh on Sunday. 

    Rohini’s body was discovered inside her room on Sunday morning. Her younger sister, Roshni, told police that Rohini worked as a martial arts coach at a private school in Ashta.

    “She came to Dewas on Saturday to visit the family. On Sunday morning, she had breakfast as usual, then went to her room while talking on the phone and locked the door. Later, we found her hanging inside the room,” Roshni said. “We rushed her to a nearby hospital where doctors declared her dead.”

    Family members said Rohini had been under stress with her job and repeated rejections of marriage proposals. They also claimed that before her death, she got disturbed during a phone conversation and may have been harassed by the school principal.

    Police said that initial investigations suggest suicide. At the time of the incident, only Rohini and her sister were present at home.

    Rohini Kalam had won a bronze medal for India at the 8th Asian Jujutsu Championship held in Abu Dhabi.

  • 27 shops sealed in Karachi for selling milk mixed with urea

    27 shops sealed in Karachi for selling milk mixed with urea

    Authorities in Karachi have sealed seven milk shops for selling milk containing urea, bringing the total number of sealed shops to 27.

    According to a statement from the Karachi Commissioner’s Office, the crackdown against adulterated milk continues across the city. On Tuesday, officials sealed three shops in the South district, three in the East, and one in Malir for selling unsafe milk.

    A spokesperson for the commissioner said that 27 milk shops have been sealed in the past two days.

    Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi chaired a meeting attended by the Director General of the Sindh Food Authority and other officials. The participants decided to continue inspections and the campaign against adulteration.

    The commissioner said that sealed shops will not be reopened without heavy fines. He added that shop owners will also have to submit a written assurance that they will sell milk free of urea and other harmful chemicals.

  • ‘I was told to go easy’; Former match referee makes shocking claims about India

    ‘I was told to go easy’; Former match referee makes shocking claims about India

    Former International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Chris Broad has revealed that he was once instructed to “go easy” on India during a match to save the team from an over-rate penalty.

    Broad, who officiated in 622 international matches across formats, made the shocking revelation in an interview with The Telegraph. 

    He said the incident highlighted India’s growing influence in world cricket.

    Broad did not name the match but said India were four overs behind schedule and facing a fine. “I received a call telling me to show leniency, to find some time, because it’s India,” Broad recalled. “After that call, we managed to bring the over rate within the limit to avoid the penalty.”

    He added that the same thing happened in the very next match. “Sourav Ganguly didn’t listen to anyone that time. When I called again, they said, now take action,” Broad said.

    Broad, who served as an ICC match referee until February 2024, said he wanted to continue but his contract was not renewed. “I would have been happy to keep working, but for 20 years I tried to stay away from political and practical pressure,” he said. “Looking back, 20 years was a long time.”

    According to Broad, India’s influence grew even more after former South African cricketer Vince van der Bijl left his position as ICC umpires manager. “During Vince’s time, we had professional support because he had a cricketing background. But after he left, management became weak,” Broad said. “Now India controls most of the funds and holds a dominant position in the ICC.”

    “I’m glad I’m no longer part of that system,” Broad concluded. “The job has become far more political than ever before.”

  • ‘Shootings banned at Lahore’s educational institutions after Main Manto Nahin Hoon controversy,’ claims Atiqah Odho

    ‘Shootings banned at Lahore’s educational institutions after Main Manto Nahin Hoon controversy,’ claims Atiqah Odho

    Pakistani actor Atiqah Odho has claimed that several educational institutions in Lahore have banned drama shootings on their campuses following the controversies surrounding the hit drama ‘Main Manto Nahin Hoon’.

    The drama, which stars Humayun Saeed as a university professor and Sajal Aly as his student, has been both praised and criticised for its unconventional storyline. The show depicts a romantic relationship between a teacher and his student, and the theme has sparked heated debate across social media and in educational circles.

    Speaking on the show Kya Drama Hai, Odho revealed that the backlash over the series had tangible consequences.

    “The romantic relationship between a professor and a student in Main Manto Nahin Hoon has started quite a debate in Lahore,” she said. “As a result, many universities have now decided to ban drama shootings on their campuses.”

    Odho said she recently returned from Lahore where she learned that the decision was directly influenced by the controversy surrounding the serial.

    “I was told that educational institutions have decided they will no longer allow filming on their premises because of the inappropriate content shown in Main Manto Nahin Hoon,” she said, adding that institutions feel the portrayal of a teacher-student relationship is completely unacceptable.

    She said that universities were also concerned about how educational spaces were being represented on screen.

    While The Current was unable to independently verify Odho’s claim, no official notification from any educational institution or official has so far been released in this regard either.

    It, however, may be noted that the claim comes after a recent episode intensified public criticism when Sajal Aly’s character staged her own kidnapping, demanding that her professor, played by Humayun Saeed and the university chancellor come to rescue her.

    The scene culminated with students insisting the professor marry his student in court, a moment that went viral online and drew widespread backlash.

    Despite the controversy, Main Manto Nahin Hoon continues to attract strong viewership for its performances and bold storytelling.

  • Vaneeza Ahmad turned to Holy Quran to help heal her from cancer

    Vaneeza Ahmad turned to Holy Quran to help heal her from cancer

    Former supermodel Vaneeza Ahmad has opened up about a deeply personal chapter in her life when she battled lymphoma, a type of cancer.

    The former model shared her story during a recent appearance on Nida Yasir’s morning show, revealing how faith, prayer, and the recitation of Quranic verses played a crucial role in her recovery.

    Vaneeza recalled that the illness struck at a time when she was at the height of her career. “I was on top of my career and thought I was invincible,” she said. “I was taking on a lot of work, doing 18-hour shoots, constantly traveling — Paris, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and back to Pakistan. I was flying high, thinking, ‘Wow, look at me,’ until Allah reminded me where I came from.”

    It began with a persistent headache that she initially dismissed as jet lag. However, the pain grew unbearable, affecting her vision and memory to the point where she even began forgetting her own name.

    After a consultation, doctors at Agha Khan Hospital initially told her that a nerve in her head was being compressed. But when her symptoms worsened, she went through more tests and was eventually told she had meningitis. After getting treatment, lymph nodes in her neck became swollen. This led to a biopsy which confirmed lymphoma, a cancer that effects the blood and lymphatic system.

    “I couldn’t believe it,” Vaneeza said. “I didn’t even understand what lymphoma was at first. I was young, busy, and full of life — cancer was something that happened to others, not me.”

    Feeling lost and frightened, she turned to a spiritual path on the advice of a close friend, visiting a spiritual healer who told her to recite specific verses from the Holy Quran and remain steadfast in prayer.

    “I truly believe in the power of prayer and spiritual healing,” Vaneeza shared. “I didn’t undergo chemotherapy or surgery. I just followed what I was told — to pray, read the Quran, and place my complete trust in Allah. A few days later, the doctors said the cancer was gone. I am still healthy today, Alhamdulillah.”

    The actress emphasized that her experience reinforced her faith and taught her humility. “When you’re at your peak, you often forget the source of your success. My illness reminded me that everything — health, fame, success — only comes from Allah.”

  • Asim Azhar deletes all Instagram posts, sparks concern among fans

    Asim Azhar deletes all Instagram posts, sparks concern among fans

    Asim Azhar has left fans scratching their heads after deleting his Instagram posts, leaving behind nothing but a cryptic “Khuda Hafiz.”

    The Dard hitmaker took to his Instagram stories to write “Khuda Hafiz,” before wiping his feed clean.

    As of now, his Instagram account shows no posts, fueling speculation among fans about what might have prompted the sudden move. The singer, known for hits like Jo Tu Na Mila and Habibi, has not issued any official statement explaining his actions.

    This comes shortly after Azhar was seen performing in Islamabad, where he expressed frustration over concert delays, criticizing event organizers for setting late show timings. He was also recently spotted at actress Yashma Gill’s birthday bash, where he and Hania Aamir were seen enjoying the viral track Pal Pal.

    The move has drawn comparisons to actress Alizeh Shah, who also deleted all her Instagram photos, citing a temporary break from social media.

    Adding to the speculation, reports suggest that Asim Azhar recently parted ways with his fiancée, actress Meerub Ali, ending their three-year relationship. Fans have since taken to social media to express concern and curiosity over the singer’s emotional state and possible reasons behind his digital silence.

    Neither Asim nor his team has commented on the matter at the time of writing.