Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Fatima Bhutto expresses anger over Biden administration

    Fatima Bhutto has expressed her anger over Joe Biden’s administration for approving the potential sale of $735 million in precision-guided weapons to Israel.

    Sharing the news report of the approval on Twitter, Fatima Bhutto wrote: “The Biden administration has blood on its hands already and they are intent on getting them dirtier and dirtier.”

    As per congressional sources US lawmakers were not expected to object to the deal despite violence between Israel and Palestinian militants Reuters has reported.

    Other people are also expressing their anger over the deal :

    https://twitter.com/sunshine_leb/status/1394290306086998026

    Israeli bombardment of Gaza, a Palestinian terrority, is the worst the world has seen in years. Israeli fighter jets continue to pound central Gaza with bombs, as the death toll of the Palestinians killed in the fighting has reached to 212, 61 among them are children.

  • 28 passengers on one flight test positive for coronavirus

    Twenty-eight passengers, coming from Bahrain to Peshawar, tested positive for coronavirus at the Bacha Khan International Airport on Tuesday. 

    The airport’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Obaid-ur-Rehman Abbasi said rapid antigen tests were conducted on 130 passengers who arrived at the airport from Bahrain. 

    “The passengers who tested positive for the virus have been handed over to the district administration,” he said, adding that various areas of the airport had also been disinfected after the development.

    A week earlier, the CAA had noted, “with grave concern”, that passengers arriving in Pakistan from mostly Gulf countries, were testing positive for coronavirus.

    “Upon conducting an investigation into the issue, it has been found that passengers travelled to Pakistan using fake PCR negative test results and endangered not only passengers travelling with them, but also undermined the intense efforts being made at the national level to curb the spread of Covid-19,” said the authority, in a notification that was released on May 10. 

    “The onus of contributing towards this national cause does not fall on the authority alone but is a responsibility that has to be shared by all concerned stakeholders including airline operators,” the notification stated.

    The development is a worrying one as Pakistan, like many countries around the world, continues to struggle with the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The current positive cases in the country stand at 882,928 with a positivity rate of 8.2%.

  • Woman ‘destroys’ $26m lottery ticket in laundry

    Woman ‘destroys’ $26m lottery ticket in laundry

    A woman in America claims that she destroyed her $26 million winning lottery ticket in the laundry.

    According to details, the woman mistakenly put the ticket in the pocket of her pants and sent it for laundry. She had bought the ticket at a store in the Los Angeles suburb of Norwalk back in November.

    Read more – Lost glasses help 80-year-old win more than £100,000

    A store employee said that a woman came and told the workers that she had put the ticket in her pants and it was destroyed in the laundry.

    Her claim is being investigated by California Lottery officials, with the store’s manager saying that CCTV video showed the woman buying the ticket. She is also someone known to staff at the store.

    As per rules, someone who believes he or she is a winner, must complete a claim form.

    But Lottery spokeswoman Cathy Johnston said if someone has lost a ticket, they must also provide proof they owned it, such as a photograph of the front and back of it. Johnston said the claim will still be investigated.

  • Sheheryar Munawar urges people to speak against ‘injustice’ in Palestine

    Sheheryar Munawar urges people to speak against ‘injustice’ in Palestine

    Sheheryar Munawar has urged his fans and followers to speak for the people of Palestine.

    Taking to Instagram stories, Munawar wrote: “I have never asked you anything for myself, but today I ask you not to stay quiet. To open your minds and hearts and speak for the people of Palestine. Speak against the injustice.”

    Read more – ‘Use your influence for the right thing’: Hania Aamir, Zara Noor urge people to call out violence in Palestine

    The actor urged his followers to educate themselves on the current situation in Palestine and further educate others.

    “Take some time to first educate yourselves, not only about what’s happening now in the region but what has been going on for the past 70 odd years,” he added.

    Munawar said: “And then if it feels right to you, educate those around you.”

    In another post, Sheheryar went on to say, “There are 14.7 million Jews in the world – and a total of around two billion Muslims in the world. How many narratives (films) each year do we consume on the holocaust? Now compare that to the number of films, documentaries, shows about the ethnic cleansing, genocide in Palestine? Or for that matter, what’s happening in Syria, Yemen (I could keep going but you get the point), exactly right?”

    “We need more narratives, we need media agencies to start talking, we need people to start talking,” he concluded.

    With the constant airstrikes pounded on Gaza, at least 212 Palestinians, including 61 children, have been killed since the attacks began. About 1,500 Palestinians have been wounded.

  • ‘What’s wrong with people?’: Alizeh Shah responds to criticism on new song

    Alizeh Shah has hit back at those criticising her choice of outfit rather than talking about important topics like Palestine. The actor is being targeted for her clothes in the music video of her debut song with Sahir Ali Bagga. Alizeh was also the top trend on Pakistani Twitter on Monday with people passing indecent remarks over her physical appearance.

    Responding to the attacks, Shah said: “I find all the memes and criticism amusing.”

    “However, the fact that a trivial topic to discuss is now the most trending issue in our country instead of becoming a voice of Palestine,” continued the actor.

    “What’s wrong with our people,” she questioned.

    The song named Badnamiyan is produced by Amria Sahir and is directed by JoviFilms and is penned down by Imran Raza.

    Shah was recently seen in the Ramazan special drama serial Tanaa Banaa along with Danyal Zafar. The on-scene chemistry between Danyal and Alizeh was admired by many.

  • Malik Riaz, wife, refuse to get tested for coronavirus at the airport, home

    Malik Riaz, wife, refuse to get tested for coronavirus at the airport, home

    Real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, his wife, and another member of his team allegedly refused to undergo Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) for coronavirus when landing at Lahore airport, violating the instruction of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

    In a letter written to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) headquarters in Karachi, Lahore airport chief operating officer and manager Akhtar Mirza said the Bahria Town CEO refused to give samples for the Covid-19 test. The team of airport health staff went to his residence to follow up with a test but Riaz refused to take the test.

    Letter written to the CAA, regarding Malik Riaz refusing to take the Covid test

    Riaz, along with four other people, landed at Lahore Airport from Dubai. After the passengers passed through the immigration process, the CAA duty staff requested Riaz and his fellows to undergo the RAT, which is a rapid diagnostic test that directly detects the presence or absence of the antigen and gives results within few minutes.

    “But they did not respond and rapidly moved towards international arrivals exit gate,” Mirza stated in the letter.

    Riaz, Bina Riaz and Shahid Mahmood Qureshi, “left the airport without [the test] which is an open violation of NCOC instructions and SOPs”, the letter added.

    The CAA management then contacted the government health team and Riaz’s personal staff officer to obtain the RAT samples from the property tycoon’s residence. A two-member team of airport health staff subsequently left for Riaz’s house shortly “but unfortunately once again [he] flatly refused to give samples for the requisite test.”

    The letter was submitted to the airport services director at CAA Karachi headquarters for his “information and further necessary action”.

    After detection of the coronavirus in some passengers arriving in Pakistan and despite them having negative PCR test results, the CAA tightened the rules regarding testing.

  • PM Khan’s aide Zulfi Bukhari resigns over allegations of corruption

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis, Zulfi Bukhari has stepped down from his position, owing to allegations in the ongoing Ring Road inquiry. Zulfi made the announcement on his Twitter account.

    “My Prime Minister has always said that if a person has been named rightly or wrongly in any inquiry he should cease to hold any public office till his name has been cleared of charges ,” wrote Zulfi Bukhari.

    “Owing to the allegations in ongoing Ring Road inquiry I want to set this example, by resigning from office until my name is cleared up of any allegations and media’s obnoxious lies,” he added.

    He continued by saying, “I reiterate that I have nothing to do with Ring Road or any ongoing Real Estate project. This time the inquiry should be done by capable personnel. I endorse a judicial inquiry.’

    “I’m here to stay in Pakistan and stand united with the Prime Minister and his vision.”

    “I sacrificed my life overseas to come and serve my country, I am ready to face any inquiry,” he concluded.

    His resignation has come after an order by the National Accountability Bureau, to look into alleged corruption and illegal land requisition in the Rawalpindi Ring Road project.

  • Season 2 of ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Ishq Jalebi’ not happening, says writer

    Season 2 of ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Ishq Jalebi’ not happening, says writer

    Saima Akram Chaudhry, who has penned the wildly successful Chupke Chupke, Ishq Jalebi and Suno Chanda has said that there will be no second or third seasons of these dramas.

    “Dear fans, viewers and followers, I know you loved Chupke Chupke, Ishq Jalebi and Suno Chanda. I am grateful to all but it’s not possible for me to take your Instagram calls and talk [to] everyone,” wrote Akram on social media.

    “Please accept my apologies and don’t call directly. Trust me it’s too irritating and it is too unethical to call someone at midnight,” she said further.

    Chaudhry also said that she cannot help anyone launch their career in the entertainment industry as it’s not her department.

    “And channels are not planning for season two or three,” added Chaudhry.

    Meanwhile, earlier fans had speculated that a sequel of Chupke Chupke was in the works after Ayeza Khan shared a clip of herself and Osman Khalid Butt dressed up as Meenu and Faazi from the drama.

    Furthermore, director Danish Nawaz said that there is a possibility for a sequel if the script and story are good. He said discussions on the topic are ongoing and that he cannot confirm anything as yet.

    On the other hand, Arslan Naseer, who played Haadi in the romantic comedy, has shut down rumours of a second season.

  • Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan graduates from University of Southern California

    Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan graduates from University of Southern California

    Shah Rukh Khan’s elder son Aryan Khan has graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) in the United States.

    Read more – Shah Rukh Khan teases fans in witty #AskSRK session

    A picture of the Bollywood superstar’s son in his graduation robe has gone viral on social media. As per details, the graduation ceremony was held recently with social distancing norms in place. It is not yet clear whether SRK and his family managed to attend the ceremony.

    Aryan graduated as part of the Class of 2020 and was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts, Cinematic Arts, Film and Television production from the School of Cinematic Arts.

    As per reports, Aryan does not wish to become an actor but hopes to pursue a career as a filmmaker.

    Interestingly, Friends star Lisa Kudrow’s son also graduated from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts on the same day as Aryan. Kudrow’s son Julian graduated as part of the Batch of 2021.

  • Miss Mexico crowned Miss Universe 2021 in a politically charged pageant

    Miss Mexico crowned Miss Universe 2021 in a politically charged pageant

    Miss Mexico was crowned Miss Universe on Sunday in Florida, after fellow contestant Miss Myanmar used her stage time to draw attention to the bloody military coup in her country.

    Read more – Sri Lanka’s Mrs World gives up title after criminal charges

    Sunday night marked the Miss Universe competition’s return to television after the pageant was cancelled in 2020 for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Andrea Meza, 26, finished first ahead of the Brazilian and Peruvian finalists in a flashy televised event, hosted by American actor Mario Lopez and television personality Olivia Culpo.

    Former Miss Universe contestants Cheslie Kryst, Paulina Vega and Demi-Leigh Tebow (who won the title in 2017) served as competition analysts and commentators, and a panel of eight women determined the winner.

    Dressed in a sparkling red evening gown, Meza tearfully walked the catwalk as Miss Universe for the first time, before rushing back for a group hug with the other competitors.

    https://twitter.com/MissUniverse/status/1394125260203728898?s=20

    Meza beat more than 70 contestants from around the globe in the 69th installment of Miss Universe, which was held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

    In the days leading up to the final competition, Miss Myanmar Thuzar Wint Lwin, who made the top 21, made waves when she used her time in the spotlight to bring attention to the coup in her country.

    “Our people are dying and being shot by the military every day,” she said during her biographical video, which showed photos of her taking part in the anti-coup protests. “Therefore I would like to urge everyone to speak out about Myanmar.”

    She also won the award for best national costume: during that competition segment on Thursday, she wore an outfit beaded in traditional Burmese patterns and held up a sign that said, “Pray for Myanmar.”

    Myanmar has been in uproar since February 1, when the army ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

    At least 796 people have been killed by security forces since then, according to a local monitoring group, while nearly 4,000 people are behind bars.

    Miss Singapore Bernadette Belle Ong — who did not make the top 21 — also used the national costume portion to make a political statement.

    Dressed in a glittering red bodysuit and matching thigh-high boots, she turned around to reveal her cape — in the colors of the Singaporean flag — was painted with the words “Stop Asian Hate.”

    “What is this platform for if I can’t use it to send a strong message of resistance against prejudice and violence?” she wrote on Instagram alongside pictures of her outfit.

    The United States in particular has seen a surge in anti-Asian violence in the past year, which activists have blamed on former president Donald Trump’s rhetoric, especially his repeated description of Covid-19 as the “China virus.”

    Meanwhile, Uruguay’s De los Santos, who wore a bold rainbow outfit with a floral crown and black boots, used her outfit to advocate for LGBTQ rights.

    The pageant has also drawn criticism in the past for objectifying the contestants. In recent years, the competition has shifted image, focusing more on female empowerment and activism.