Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Taliban to be blamed for missing journalist, says rights group

    Taliban to be blamed for missing journalist, says rights group

    A journalists’ rights groups in Afghanistan said that the Taliban have arrested two Afghan journalists working for a local news channel, weeks after two female activists went missing.

    The rights group known as the Afghan Media Association, without naming anyone said that reporters Waris Hasrat and Aslam Hijab were picked up by masked gunmen in front of the channel’s office. They went out for lunch on Monday “and taken to an unknown location”.

    They said Taliban officials are investigating the matter and have given them insurance. However, a spokesperson told AFP he had no information on the missing journalists.

    Moreover, rights group Amnesty International demanded on Twitter that the Taliban “unconditionally and immediately release” the two.

    Two weeks earlier, two female activists went missing after taking part in a demonstration in Kabul for women’s rights.

    Previously, in September several Afghan journalists were beaten while covering rallies.

  • Viral dancer on PSL song opens up about his dream profession

    Viral dancer on PSL song opens up about his dream profession

    Wasif Ghafoor, a young boy who became an overnight star after a video of him dancing on the Pakistan Super League (PSL) anthem, ‘Agay Dekh’ says he has big dreams.

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Geo Pakistan’, Ghafoor revealed that he wanted to be a cricketer. Ghafoor said,” Singing is my passion and I have a craze for cricket.”

    Revealing his passion for cricket, Ghafoor said, “I said goodbye to cricket when I was not supported,” he said, adding that he later joined a pharmaceutical company in the city.

    When asked if he made special preparation for the dance on the PSL anthem, the youth replied that he is not a “professional dancer,” adding that his performance on the PSL anthem was simply in the heat of the moment.

    Praising the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja for holding such a mega sports event in the country, he said: “I will be available for all PSL matches if asked.”

    Ghafoor maintained that he was not expecting that his dance performance on the PSL anthem will go viral. He said that people sitting in the enclosure told him that he has gone viral on the internet and started taking selfies with him.

    Ghafoor said that he only realized that he has gone viral when he started getting phone calls from his friends.

  • Naseem Shah wants to make it as big as these two former cricketers

    Naseem Shah wants to make it as big as these two former cricketers

    18-year-old Naseem Shah picked up a five-wicket haul in Pakistan Super League (PSL) match against Karachi Kings on Saturday (January 29). The cricketer recently appeared on a talk show and shared his bowling techniques and plans and revealed his dream of a glorious future.

    In conversation with Shafaat Ali on his YouTube show Standing at Silly with Shafaat Ali, Naseem while talking about the possibility of a hat-trick, said: “When I took two wickets and there was a chance of a third one, I tried my 100 per cent to get a T20 hat-trick but the ball went a little outside. I wanted to bowl an out-swing as I already took two slips and wanted a snick but due to less movement of ball, I missed it.”

    While talking about his bowling techniques, Shah added: “We do plan in a meeting before match and we watch videos of different batsmen and bowling coaches and discuss what should be done for a specific batter. I also have a plan of my own. I don’t focus on their strengths, I just focus on my strengths. I have bowled according to my plan and Alhamdulillah I was successful”.

    On a question about his future plan and who does he look up to, Shahid Afridi or Shoaib Akhtar, and who does he want to become like, Naseem said that he does not want to become like them in the future. He wants his name as big as them so people can take his name along with them. “I want to become like Naseem Shah and want my name as big as them,” he said.

    Naseem picked up his first five-wicket haul in the PSL and the youngster continues to impress with his raw pace.

  • India set to launch its own digital currency, tax crypto assets

    India set to launch its own digital currency, tax crypto assets

    India’s central bank plans to launch the digital version of the rupee in the coming fiscal year, according to Indian finance minister. The 2022-2023 financial year of India will begin on April 1.

    “Introduction of a central bank digital currency will give a boost, a big boost to the digital economy,” Nirmala Sitharaman said while delivering India’s annual budget. “Digital currency will also lead to a more efficient and cheaper currency management system.”

    The minister did not give any technical details about the currency but said it will involve block chain and other technologies.

    If India launches its digital currency, it will become one of the world’s largest economies to implement Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).

    India’s decision comes after China began CBDC experiments in different cities. The United States and the Bank of England are exploring the prospects for their own economies.

    Nirmala Sitharaman also said that India will impose a tax of 30% on income from cryptocurrencies and other digital assets.

  • Nawaz Sharif majorly stressed out after wife’s death, can get worse

    Nawaz Sharif majorly stressed out after wife’s death, can get worse

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif’s latest medical report was submitted in the Lahore High Court today (February 1). According to the submitted report, Nawaz’s doctor has stopped him from travelling.

    Nawaz Sharif’s medical report has been prepared by Dr Fayaz Shawl, Director Interventional Cardiology, and has been submitted to the court through Amjad Pervez Advocate. The medical report further said that Nawaz Sharif should continue his medication and take a walk in the open air. He has also been advised to take precautionary measures against corona while walking. In view of the current global coronavirus epidemic in the world, Nawaz Sharif should refrain from any kind of travel and public places such as airports, stated his medical report.

    His medical report says that Nawaz Sharif is under more pressure after the death of his wife, Kulsoom Nawaz. Nawaz should continue his activities without stress. He is currently under severe mental stress and depression can worsen Nawaz Sharif’s illness.

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, while commenting on Nawaz’s health, said, “You are making fun of the rule of law in the country by submitting such reports.”

    “Nawaz should return the money of the people and continue living in London. This report is full of lies. The report should also have mentioned that Nawaz Sharif should only be allowed to walk in Hyde Park, otherwise his stress will increase,” said Fawad.

    Fawad further said, “I hope the courts will take notice of how Nawaz left Pakistan and his fake medical reports.”

  • TLP chief Saad Rizvi to get married this week

    TLP chief Saad Rizvi to get married this week

    Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Saad Hussain Rizvi is set to get married this week, reports Roznama 92.

    Many important personalities are expected to attend Rizvi’s wedding. Allama Abdul Sattar Saeedi is expected to officiate the nikkah.

    Rizvi’s valima (wedding reception) will be held on February 6 in Lahore.

    On November 18, Saad Rizvi was released from jail before the death anniversary of his father, i.e. Khadim Hussain Rizvi. On November 7, the government had revoked the ban on TLP.

  • New York Times buys viral word game ‘Wordle’, people concerned if it will still remain free

    New York Times buys viral word game ‘Wordle’, people concerned if it will still remain free

    The New York Times (NYT) has purchased the popular word game ‘Wordle’. The Times reported that Wordle was purchased for “in the low seven figures” from its founder, Josh Wardle. According to the company, new and existing users will be able to play the game for free at first.

    Josh Wardle took to Twitter to announce the deal.

    “I am incredibly pleased to announce that I’ve reached an agreement with The New York Times for them to take over running Wordle going forward. If you’ve followed along with the story of Wordle, you’ll know that NYT games play a big part in its origins and so this step feels very natural to me,” Wardle wrote on Twitter.

    People are concerned whether the game will remain free for the users:

    https://twitter.com/shailinthomas/status/1488340943178801158
    https://twitter.com/recitrachel/status/1488270262353100805

    Wordle has caught the attention of Pakistani Twitter for a while now. Miftah Ismail is among the many politicians who regularly shares his Wordle score on Twitter.

    More recently, former wife of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, Jemima Goldsmith, shared her Wordle score on Twitter but the replies to her tweet were not related to the game.

  • VIDEO: ‘Gilani is a bika hua siyasatdaan,’ Shah Mahmood Qureshi warns Senate

    VIDEO: ‘Gilani is a bika hua siyasatdaan,’ Shah Mahmood Qureshi warns Senate

    Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi while addressing the Senate lashed out at Leader of the Opposition Yusuf Raza Gilani.

    “I said it yesterday and I am saying it today, he [Gilani] said that I don’t want to be Leader of the Opposition, he was lying. He will stay, he will take back his resignation. He will stick to this chair. This was all a drama,” said Qureshi.

    Qureshi said, “I am warning you, honourable members of the Senate, listen and pay attention to what I am saying. Members of the Senate, the Leader of the Opposition is a compromised leader. Don’t rely on him.”

    “Don’t you see a seasoned and respected parliamentarian like Raza Rabbani? Don’t you see a respected politician like Sherry Rehman sitting in your rows? He [Gilani] is compromised and a sellout,” said Qureshi.

    On Monday, Gilani announced that he had submitted his resignation as Leader of the Opposition to his party. “In the end, I will say that I have already submitted my resignation to my party that I don’t want to be the Leader of the Opposition.”

  • Video: Humayun Saeed sad about Indian drama copying his famous scene from ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’?

    Video: Humayun Saeed sad about Indian drama copying his famous scene from ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’?

    Actor Humayun Saeed reacted to Indian drama serial copying his famous scene from Meray Pass Tum Ho.

    A video of the Indian drama serial which took inspiration from the scene “Do Takkay Ki Aurat”, was shared by a digital news platform.

    The Indian scene has many similarities as the Pakistani drama.

    Humayun left a comment under the video with sad emoji.

    Meray Paas Tum Ho is the highest rated drama of recent years in Pakistan. The drama was headlined by four primary characters essayed by Humayun Saeed, Adnan Siddiqui, Ayeza Khan and Hira Mani.

  • Masood Khan’s appointment as Pakistan envoy being delayed by the US

    Masood Khan’s appointment as Pakistan envoy being delayed by the US

    Former Azad Jammu Kashmir President Masood Khan’s appointment as Pakistan’s ambassador-designate to the United States (US) is being delayed.

    Khan was nominated as ambassador to the US in November. He had previously served as Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva and New York and as ambassador to China.

    Khan was to replace the outgoing ambassador of Pakistan in Washington Asad Majeed Khan.

    A former foreign secretary, while speaking to Dawn, said that the State Department took four to six weeks to issue agrément for Pakistani ambassadors in the past.

    Another diplomat told the news outlet, “This time they are taking unusually long.”

    US President Joe Biden in October 2020 also nominated a new ambassador to Pakistan, Donald Armin Blome, who is said to be an expert on Middle East affairs.