Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • India to hold ‘cow exam’ next month

    India to hold ‘cow exam’ next month

    India will hold a mass nationwide online “cow science” exam next month, in the latest push by the Hindu nationalist government to promote and protect the sacred animal, officials said Wednesday.

    The hour-long test on February 25, open to children and adults as well as foreigners, comprises 100 multiple-choice questions in Hindi, English, and 12 regional languages.

    The aim is to assess the public’s knowledge and “sensitise and educate” them, according to the Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA) cow protection agency created by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration.

    “Certificates will be given to all. Successful meritorious candidates will be given prizes and certificates,” the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said.

    “The cow is full of science and economics. People are not aware of the true economic and scientific value of the animal,” said RKA chief Vallabhbhai Kathiria.

    Accompanying study material released by the RKA includes information on different breeds of cows as well as the theory that slaughtering animals causes earthquakes.

    Many from India’s overwhelming Hindu majority consider cows sacred but under Modi’s rule, the animal has increasingly become a political and sectarian flashpoint.

    His government has made cows a top priority and invested millions of dollars in programmes to protect the animal and research the uses for bovine dung and urine.

    Cow slaughter and eating beef has become illegal in many parts of the culturally diverse and officially secular country, while sentences elsewhere have increased. There have been a string of attacks by vigilante Hindu groups on Muslims and low-caste Hindus who have traditionally eaten beef and disposed of cow carcasses.

    On Tuesday, the southern state of Karnataka amended its cow protection law to give police increased powers to search and arrest anyone without a warrant suspected of cow slaughter.

    The state government, controlled by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), enhanced jail terms to seven years and fines to one million rupees ($13,700) for offenders.

  • ‘US would invade US’: Jokes break internet after Capitol Hill breach

    ‘US would invade US’: Jokes break internet after Capitol Hill breach

    The breach of the US Capitol by the supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump to stop the final electoral count resulted in the death of four people and scores of arrests last night. The situation turned so bad that it prompted a curfew in Washington DC.

    The lawmakers were counting votes to certify the victory of President-elect Joe Biden when the chaos ensued as a direct result of a speech made by Trump. It took hours to get the far-right Trump supporters out of the Capitol.

    The visuals coming out of the US capital sent waves throughout the world and images of the protesters taking over the house floor and flooded social media. And Twitter didn’t miss the chance to roast the US over its interventionist policies and a history of hijacking third-world elections. But not all memes were political, like this one.

    https://twitter.com/GhassenSwayah/status/1347008230225039360

    What would the US do if this was a third world country?

    https://twitter.com/mhdksafa/status/1346905706105081858

    Venezuela has a score to settle.

    https://twitter.com/Riogringa/status/1346944360345186313

    “Always in favour of law and democracy,” a Turkish lawmaker mocks the US over its habit of meddling in other countries’ affairs.

    Chickens coming home to roost?

    Is he Trump’s ‘Proud Boy’ or what?

  • Delivery boy robs people by hiding gun in food delivery bag

    The police arrested a delivery boy for robbing people using a weapon hidden inside his delivery bag.

    As per details, the suspect from Karachi’s Ferozabad area bore the uniform and a box of online food delivery service in which he put his weapon.

    The delivery boy, Abdul Rauf told the police he had only recently joined the online food delivery service and admitted he was tempted to rob people as he had no money.

    “I bought this gun back in 2011”, Rauf admitted to police.

    Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) East Sajid Sadozai told media the suspect knocked at house doors pretending to be a food delivery person and then robbed them with his partners.

    The police are still searching for his alleged aides involved in criminal activities.

    Rauf has confessed to at least 21 robberies, SSP Sadozai said.

  • Ertuğrul’s Abdul Rehman Alp invites Feroze Khan to visit Turkey

    Looks like Feroze Khan is becoming a favourite among Turkish actors. After Diriliş: Ertuğrul‘s Ozman Sirgood, who plays Ibn Arabi in the series, requested Feroze not to quit acting, Celal AL (Abdul Rehman Alp) has praised Khan and invited him to visit Turkey.

    Commenting on Khan’s Instagram post, in which he shared the poster of his upcoming drama serial Khuda Aur Mohabbat, the Turkish actor said: “MashAllah mere bhai. Bohat khoob”.

    He then went on to invite Feroze to Turkey, saying: “Istanbul kab arhay? Kardes [friends] intzaar mein hain.”

    Replying to Celal’s comment, Khan complemented him for picking up Urdu quickly and promised to visit soon.

    Celal also shared the teaser of Khan’s upcoming drama on his Instagram story, with the caption: “Turk Pak Brotherhood.”

    Meanwhile, Khuda aur Mohabbat 3, in which also features Iqra Aziz, is all set to go on-air soon.

  • ‘Coup attempt’: Four dead after Trump supporters storm US Capitol

    ‘Coup attempt’: Four dead after Trump supporters storm US Capitol

    At least four people were killed and scores were arrested after supporters of outgoing US President Donald Trump breached the Capitol last night to stop the electoral vote count that would certify the victory of President-elect Joe Biden.

    The protestors pushed through barriers and occupied the building for hours, where lawmakers had gathered to certify that Joe Biden had won the election. Lawmakers were evacuated from the building by the police following the chaos that, reports say, was a result of a speech by Trump calling the election stolen.

    In hours-long episode of violence, there were clashes between the protesters and the police officers and the police were called “traitors” as well. A BBC report described the scene at the Capitol as Trump loyalists waving placards with “show us the ballots” inscribed on them. “All we want is for the Capitol police to stand down, and surrender the building to us,” it quoted a Trump supporter.

    Rioters were seen marching through the building chanting “We want Trump” and one was photographed in the Senate president’s chair, as per a BBC report. Reports said there was an armed confrontation at the doors of the House of Representatives.

    CBS News reported that one woman was shot and killed by police after breaching the Capitol and attempting to enter the House chamber. “Three others died as a result of medical emergencies,” it quoted the Metropolitan Police Department.

    In order to quell the unrest, the US authorities had called in troops from neighbouring states, Maryland and Virginia in addition to the National Guard. However, it took them hours to secure the Capitol. The US media reported 52 arrests: four related to weapons charges after the recovery of six firearms.

    “Two pipe bombs, one near the Republican National Committee and one near the Democratic National Committee, were also recovered, along with a cooler filled with Molotov cocktails,” the media outlet reported.

    TRUMP BLOCKED ON TWITTER:

    Meanwhile, Trump has been blocked on Twitter and Facebook for 12 and 24 hours for instigating violence as he called upon his supporters to go home while still calling the election “stolen”. “I know your pain, I know you’re hurt,” he said. “You have to go home now, we have to have peace… we don’t want anybody hurt.”

    Visuals from inside the Chamber show that the protesters and the police are engaged in a standoff.


    President-elect Joe Biden, however, said the demonstration “borders on sedition and it must end now”. “At this hour our democracy is under unprecedented assault,” he reacted to the news of the assault on the Capitol. While another lawmaker said it was a ‘coup’ attempt.

  • Foreign coach to reportedly replace Misbah after South Africa series

    Foreign coach to reportedly replace Misbah after South Africa series

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly decided to remove Misbah-ul-Haq and bring in a foreign coach after the home series against South Africa.

    According to reports, Gary Kirsten and Grant Flower are likely to replace Misbah.

    It must be noted here that Misbah had already been removed from chief selector and batting coach’s posts. The head coach received immense backlash after Pakistan badly lost two-matches Test series against New Zealand.

    Misbah took charge in 2019 and under his coaching, Pakistan has only won home Tests against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The green shirts lost the home T20I series against Sri Lanka immediately after he took charge.

    It is pertinent to mention that the former cricketer recently parted ways with Pakistan Super League (PSL’s) team Islamabad United.

    IU’s official Twitter account said that he wanted to focus on commitments with the National side.

  • Ali Rehman Khan tests positive for coronavirus

    Ali Rehman Khan tests positive for coronavirus

    Ali Rehman Khan has tested positive for COVID-19, “despite being super careful and taking all precautions”.

    The actor, in an Instagram post, shared the news and requested everyone to keep him in his prayers.

    Earlier, Sana Mir also tested positive for the virus.

  • Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming project to reportedly be on Lahore’s Heera Mandi

    Filming for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s (SLB) passion project based on Lahore’s Heera Mandi is all set to commence from Spring 2021.

    According to reports in the Indian media, the period drama titled Heera Mandi will revolve around the lives of sex workers, working in Lahore’s red-light district.

    Vibhu Puri who is Bhansali’s former assistant will direct the project, which will feature Alia Bhatt in the lead. However, other names like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Deepika Padukone, Parineeti Chopra, Manisha Koirala, and Vidya Balan are also under consideration.

    “Bhansali is personally overlooking for the casting [for the project],” stated the report. “Though officially his former assistant Vibhu will be directing Heera Mandi, SLB’S stamp will be evident in every frame.”

    Meanwhile the film is expected to debut digitally on Netflix. It is not yet clear whether Heera Mandi will be a web series or a film.

    Besides Heera Mandi, Bhansali is working on another film Gangubai Kathiawadi which also tells the story of a prostitute.

  • Hamza Ali Abbasi condemns Hazara killings

    Hamza Ali Abbasi condemns Hazara killings

    Hamza Ali Abbasi has expressed his sorrow and grief over the horrific attack that took place on Sunday in Balochistan’s Bolan district and left 11 coal miners belonging to the Shia Hazara community dead. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.

    “The horrifying tragedy inflicted by a few evil men on the Hazara community is so heartbreaking that all I can tell myself to feel some peace is that God is watching everything,” wrote Hamza on social media.

    “May Allah bless the souls of the victims and give courage to the families,” added the actor.

    People from Hazara community are currently protesting at the Western Bypass, Quetta, saying they won’t bury their dead till Prime Minister Imran Khan personally visits them and assures them of security.

    Meanwhile, PM Imran Khan has requested the Hazara community to “please bury your loved one so their souls find peace”, adding that he “shares” their pain and will come to them soon.

  • PM says ‘neighbour instigating sectarian terrorism’, asks Hazara victim families to bury loved ones

    PM says ‘neighbour instigating sectarian terrorism’, asks Hazara victim families to bury loved ones

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has said asked Hazara victim families to bury their loved ones who were killed in a terrorist attack on Sunday by the Islamic State, aka Daesh.

    His tweet came in response to the demand of the Hazara protesters who asked the PM to visit their protest camp and assure them of security. The protesters have said that they will not bury their dead unless the PM listens to them in person.

    The PM, however, says that his government is taking “steps to prevent such brutal attacks” that are being instigated by the country’s “neighbour to instigate sectarian terrorism”.

    “I want to reassure the Hazara families who lost their loved ones in a brutal terrorist attack in Machh that I am cognisant of their suffering & their demands. We are taking steps to prevent such attacks in the future & know our neighbour is instigating this sectarian terrorism,” he tweeted.

    The PM also promised the Hazara community that he would visit them “very soon to offer prayers and condole with all the families personally”.

    “I share your pain & have come to you before also to stand with you in your time of suffering. I will come again very soon to offer prayers and condole with all the families personally. I will never betray my people’s trust. Please bury your loved ones so their souls find peace,” he added.

    At least 11 Hazara miners were shot dead by the Islamic State in Mach, Bolan, on Sunday. After the killings, the mourners have been staging a sit-in in Quetta for the past four days.