Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un reportedly dead after botched heart surgery

    North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un reportedly dead after botched heart surgery

    North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un has died, or is on his death bed with no hope for recuperation, multiple Chinese and Japanese media outlets have reported.

    As per the details, a vice director of Hong Kong Satellite Television (HKSTV) — a Beijing-backed broadcast network in Hong Kong — claimed that Kim was dead, citing a “very solid source”. Her post on the Chinese messaging app Weibo has been shared widely on social media, according to a report in the International Business Times.

    The claim comes hours after a Japanese magazine reported that the North Korean dictator was in a “vegetative state” ever since he underwent heart surgery earlier this month.

    Other unconfirmed reports, attributed to senior party sources in Beijing, said an operation to insert a stent went wrong because the surgeon’s hands were shaking so badly.

    The weekly Shukan Gendai reported Friday that a Chinese medic sent to North Korea as part of a team to treat Kim believed a delay in a simple procedure left the leader severely ill, Reuters reported.

    A Chinese expert told the magazine that Kim, believed to be 36, clutched his chest and fell to the ground on a visit to the countryside earlier this month. A doctor accompanying Kim performed CPR and took him to a nearby hospital.

    North Korean media hasn’t mentioned Kim’s health or whereabouts, even though reports by foreign media outlets have sparked international speculation about his well-being.

    The hashtag #KimJongUndead continues to trend on Twitter without any proof of the leader’s death.

    According to Independent, if rumours of Kim’s health are true, his sister, Kim Yo-jong, will emerge as the custodian of power in North Korea.

    She is the youngest daughter of former supreme leader Kim Jong-il and an alternate member of the politburo — principal policymaking committee. Yo-jong is also the vice director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea.

  • We take it back; ‘Ghalti’ is ARY’s best running drama

    When ARY’s drama ‘Ghalti’ started, it seemed like a huge mistake. Typical saas bahu, beychari bahu and crazy saas. Husband is a complete disaster, giving talaaq after talaaq, which is so typical of Pakistani dramas.

    But after this week’s episode, we are happy to issue an apology and say, WOW, what happened? It’s turning out to be one of the best running dramas on ARY.

    Hina Mani delivers a stellar performance

    That being said, it’s not like it has much competition. The drama ‘Jhooti ‘ is probably Iqra Aziz’s biggest mistake and the high that Ayeza Khan got from ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’ crashes in ‘Thora Sa Haq’.

    In this week’s episode, three massive twists made ‘Ghalti’ a fantastic watch. Zaira (Hira Mani) is married to her cousin Saad (Affan Waheed) and Saad’s mother Zaitoon (Saba Hamid) has it out for them. She tries her best to destroy their marriage and finally succeeds.

    The best part about this latest episode was Zaira. Hira Mani delivers a stellar performance, one in which you shockingly and immediately feel her pain. She acts perfectly. So perfect that you immediately are drawn to her. There is no overacting when her husband delivers the final blow and when she tells her mother. This is so realistic that you can imagine it happening in real life. And that is where the drama takes a turn.

    You can only be team Zaira then.

    At such important moments in this episode Hira Mani hits constant sixers.

    You feel her pain and she so elegantly takes on what what Zaitoon has handed her and the drama no longer becomes about divorce but actually becomes about a woman’s strength.

    Zaitoon is also not to be messed with and Saba Hamid does her total justice. She is perfect in her narcissism and her selfishness and Saba’s every expression reflects what Zaitoon is.

    Saba Hamid is full of expression and elegance, making a stellar villain

    The voice of reason is Shanzay (Mehr Bano). She is a strong, independent, working woman married to Saad’s brother. When her character was first introduced, you wondered: Ugh, here is another drama demonising the working woman. But wait. It didn’t.

    What’s going on? How is this drama getting so good?

    Shanzay tells off Zaitoon, Saad, the sisters, so well that you feel like clapping and feeling like wow, how is this possible that her husband is taking HER side? This isn’t typical at all. And it’s done so normally, matter of factly, simply. No dramatic angles, dialogues, music.

    Mehr Bano delivers a performance that rivals that of Saba Hamid

    The teaser for the next episode promises to be even better, filled with confrontation and dare we hope, a not dragged out end. We have our theories on what might happen but it isnt the time to speculate just yet. It’s almost the beginning of the week and we are already waiting for the next episode.

    So we take it back and apologise because this is one drama we wait for every Thursday and hope you guys have the time to catch up. This is the one to wait drama to look forward to during the lockdown.

  • VIDEO: Himalayan lynx attacks Markhor in Chitral

    With a decrease in human activity all over the world, animals, some which have rarely been seen before, are coming out of their hiding places and exploring their surroundings without an interference.

    Recently, WWF-Pakistan released a never seen before footage of the Himalayan lynx, captured on the steep rocky cliffs of Chitral Valley, Pakistan. According to officials, this is the first time that the nocturnal hunter and highly elusive animal has been filmed in the area.

    The video which is intense and chilling shows the cat observe and successfully hunt her prey.

    “While filming a group of markhor grazing in the Tooshi-Shasha Wildlife Conservancy recently, our field production team and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department spotted this lynx crouching in a camouflaged position behind a rock, about to begin a hunt,” shared the animal protection organisation. “What followed was a dramatic scene few have ever witnessed – a lynx stalking and successfully killing a yearling markhor.”

    Watch the full video here:

    According to WWF, “the Himalayan lynx is one of the most elusive and powerful cats living in these mountains, rivaled only by the famous snow leopard. As an apex predator, the lynx plays an essential role in maintaining the balance and health of this complex mountain ecosystem.”

    The lynx is considered to be rare species and is known to be present in Chitral and other northern areas of Pakistan, including Gilgit-Baltistan, although its exact distribution and range are not known.

    Earlier, a brown bear was also spotted in Laspur Valley in Chitral by the locals.

  • Seven things you didn’t know about Sana Bucha

    Renowned journalist Sana Bucha is a household name in the Pakistan media industry. She has been a constant on our TV screens and has always maintained a very active social media profile. Sana recently joined The Current for a live and interactive session in which she revealed some interesting tidbits about her life and also shared some meaningful advice.

    Here are seven things you did not know about Sana Bucha:

    1. Sana is starting her YouTube channel very soon

    Responding to several users who asked Sana when she will starting her YouTube Channel, Sana said that her technological skills are very poor which is why she hasn’t set up a YouTube channel as yet. However, she announced on The Current that due to popular demand, she will definitely now take the step towards that and start working on setting one up soon.

    2. Reading the Quran gives her peace

    When asked how she manages to deal with all the negativity and trolling, Sana said that she reads the Quran to feel peace and positivity.

    3. Sana fasts regularly

    Sana revealed that apart from fasting in Ramzan, she fasts regularly because it helps her spiritually as well as physically.

    4. Her favourite anchors are Mansoor Ali Khan and Kashif Abbasi

    5. Sana started yoga for back strengthening

    If you ever go through Sana’s Instagram account, it is full of pictures of her practising yoga. Sana said that she started yoga to strengthen her back but now yoga has become a regular part of her life. She has also promised to send us a yoga video exclusively for The Current viewers!

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-sI–eAp6M/

    6. Sana’s best friend is her father

    When a user asked Sana who her best friend is, Sana said that it’s her father. Awww, isn’t that sweet?

    7. Sana loves perfumes

    Responding to a question about what gift she loves receiving, Sana said that she loves perfumes and good smells.

    Other than that, when a user asked to say two words for Prime Minister Imran Khan, Sana replied, “Textbook Narcissist”.

  • Coronavirus: ‘Pakistan to start conducting 50,000 tests a day,’ says Lt Gen Afzal

    Coronavirus: ‘Pakistan to start conducting 50,000 tests a day,’ says Lt Gen Afzal

    National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal has said that Pakistan will start conducting 50,000 coronavirus tests a day from next week as a meeting held at the National Command and Operations Centre has decided that virus detection kits would be provided to all departments concerned at the earliest.

    Speaking to journalists, the NDMA chairman said that earlier only those who showed symptoms of the coronavirus were being tested, but the authorities are now shifting to randomised testing for effective implementation of the government’s plans to curb the menace of COVID-19 that has so far claimed 251 lives in Pakistan and left over 12,000 people sick across the country.

    Lt Gen Afzal added that 800,000 testing kits were available and efforts were being made to procure more.

    On April 11, the NDMA received a medical consignment from China consisting of 59 ventilators, about 936 kilogrammes (kg) of surgical masks, protective suits, safety lenses, thermometers, and 1,720 kg of unstitched cloth for surgical gowns, all of which were distributed among provinces.

    Meanwhile, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has instructed the military to help civilian administration during the holy month of Ramzan that has arrived amid the global coronavirus pandemic.  

    “COAS held a special conference at General Headquarters (GHQ) today where the overview of the coronavirus deployment and situation was taken into account. COAS instructed all commanders to ensures border security and carry out routine activities as per schedule,” the military spokesperson said while addressing a press conference on Friday.

    “The army chief gave the instruction to work with civil authorities to ease the difficulties being faced by the people during Ramzan,” he said.

  • PM Imran launches ‘Yaran-e-Watan’ for overseas health professionals

    PM Imran launches ‘Yaran-e-Watan’ for overseas health professionals

    The federal government has launched ‘Yaran-e-Watan’ to allow overseas Pakistani health professionals to support the country’s efforts to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.

    Taking to Twitter on Saturday, PM Imran said that Pakistani health professionals are on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 across the world and they want to help the government to combat COVID19 in Pakistan.

    “We have launched YaranWatan initiative for our overseas health professionals who can now register to volunteer their services,” he wrote.

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said, the initiative has been launched in collaboration with the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development with support from the Pakistani diaspora health organisations.

    He said the platform will help utilise the full potential of the diaspora community, including medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, administrators, health economists, public health professionals and other professionals, in developing Pakistan’s health sector.

    Meanwhile Tania Aidrus also encouraged doctors, both local and overseas, to offer their services to the country.

  • VIDEO: Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team takes the viral ‘Don’t Rush Challenge’

    VIDEO: Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team takes the viral ‘Don’t Rush Challenge’

    Ever since the world went into lockdown, people are coming up with fun ideas to lift up their spirits and of those around them. Several social media challenges have also gone viral including the ‘Oh Na Na’ Dance Challenge, ‘Don’t Rush’ Makeup Challenge and the Pillow Challenge, in which you have to dress up using pillows. Celebrities all over the world are also participating in these challenges and the latest to join the bandwagon is the Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team who took the Don’t Rush Challenge with a twist.

    Instead of doing their makeup, the girls in the video changed into their team jerseys. Those who participated in the challenge include Kainat Imtiaz, Omaima Sohail, Maham Tariq, Syeda Nain Abidi, Sidra Nawaz, Ayesha Zafar, Muneeba Ali, Aiman Anwar, Iram Javed and Sidra Ameen.

    https://twitter.com/kainatimtiaz16/status/1253652912691167232?s=20

    People loved their take on their challenge.

    https://twitter.com/AleemDarUmpire/status/1253776541907070977?s=20

  • Hospital employee tests positive for coronavirus during PM’s visit

    After Edhi Foundation head Faisal Edhi tested positive for the new coronavirus less than a week following his meeting with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, who, however, has tested negative for the same, concerns have been raised over another health risk that the premier may be facing as an employee of Coronavirus Care Hospital of Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in Rawalpindi tested positive for COVID-19 the same day Imran visited the facility.

    As per the details, Khaleeq Abbasi, who works at the Logistics Department, had been deputed at the hospital to take care of the logistics and was also involved in logistics provision for PM Imran’s visit along with other staff.

    “Abbasi was not feeling well for quite a few days. He tested for coronavirus on Monday which came positive on Wednesday,” reports quoted an official as saying.

    “After testing positive, Abbasi has been directed by the PRCS management to self-isolate,” they said, adding that as a follow-up measure, the management had also isolated the entire logistics department and sent samples of all of the department’s employees among a number of other persons for testing.

    According to a press statement issued by PM House, the premier during his visit was briefed in detail by PRCS Chairman Abrarul Haq on the measures taken by the organisation in the wake of the situation arising out of the COVID-19 outbreak and the facilities at the hospital.

    A video doing rounds over the internet also showed PM Imran and his delegation at the facility without any specific protective measures.

    Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, PM’s special assistants Dr Sania Nishtar, Dr Zafar Mirza and Member National Assembly (MNA) Amir Mehmood Kiyani were among those who accompanied Imran.

    PRCS spokesperson Rehal Ali has confirmed that an employee named Khaleeq Abbasi tested positive for COVID-19 the same day the premier visited the hospital. “Actually, Abbasi’s test sample had been sent on Monday and the confirmation came on Wednesday,” said the spokesperson, adding that Abbasi and all other staff members had been isolated at their homes as a safety measure.

    “We have tracked back around 10 people who had been in contact with Abbasi and isolated them at their homes. Their samples have also been taken and sent for tests,” he said, adding that all measures identified by the National Institute of Health (NIH) were being followed at the hospital as well as the national headquarters of the PRCS.

  • VIDEO: Tariq Jamil apologises for calling journalists ‘liars’, doesn’t break silence on his ‘misogynist’ remarks

    Prominent preacher Maulana Tariq Jamil’s statements from Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s Ehsaas Telethon to raise money for the government’s coronavirus relief fund on Thursday have received mixed reactions, which were followed by the religious scholar also apologising as he drew the ire of several netizens, including senior journalists and rights activists, who called him out for “targetting women” and calling media personalities “liars”.

    “I apologise if someone has misconstrued my words. It was not a sweeping statement and I was referring to certain journalists when I said they lie,” Jamil said while appearing on a private media outlet’s show hosted senior journalist Javed Chaudhry, who was seen making the religious scholar realise that his words had not been very well-received by many.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE6KhNlpK7A

    Earlier, he was also called out by senior journalist and analyst Hamid Mir and his colleague Murtaza Ali Shah.

    Mir also asked Jamil to name the media owner he had alluded to in his prayer at the live telethon.

    WHAT DID MAULANA SAY?

    Other than speaking against “certain journalists”, Maulana had on Thursday also blamed “immodest women” for causing the coronavirus pandemic in Pakistan.

    According to reports, he advised people to abstain from vices like indecency, lying, fraud and illegal means of earning a livelihood, adding that pre-Islamic nations were annihilated because they transgressed the limits set by God.

    He went on to call some women “behaiya [immodest]” and talked about the indecency and mixing up of genders and leading the youth astray. In one particular sentence, he expressed remorse over women dancing. He, however, did not clarify his stance further.

    He then concluded the transmission with a special prayer asking God to end the pandemic coronavirus and save entire humanity.

    Here’s what Twitterati had to say:

    The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has also condemned Jamil’s remarks.

    Meanwhile, “#TariqJamil” continues to trend on Twitter in Pakistan.

  • Utility store workers go on countrywide strike for their demands

    Utility store workers go on countrywide strike for their demands

    The workers of Utility Stores Corporation went on across the country on Friday. The workers have stopped working to record their protest to convince the government for their demands. They want the authorities to declare them as permanent employees and increase their salaries.

    “The strike will be continued for an indefinite period as Utility Stores Corporation (USC)Umar Lodhi has not accepted their demands regarding their status and pay,” said All Pakistan Workers Unions President.

    He said that they announced countrywide strike following failed negotiations with owners and unions.

    Talking to a news outlet, USC Executive Director Umar Lodhi said that the department was not able to clear the dues of the employees because of the loss. But all the other demands were fulfilled, he said.