Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • In a first, Indian defence official admits loss of jets in Pakistan clashes

    In a first, Indian defence official admits loss of jets in Pakistan clashes

    Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces, General Anil Chauhan, has acknowledged the losses the Indian Air Force (IAF) suffered during recent clashes with Pakistan between May 6 and 10, though he declined to disclose the number of aircraft downed.

    Earlier, on May 15, while speaking at the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) Minhas Airbase in Kamra, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif claimed that Pakistan had shot down six Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets, amid what he described as Indian aggression.

    “What is important is not the number of jets that were downed, but why they were downed and what we did after that; that’s more important,” General Chauhan said, in an interview with Bloomberg TV at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday.

    “Understanding the mistakes that led to the losses, correcting them, and ensuring they are not repeated—that is what matters,” he added.

    Chauhan said that the good part was that the IAF was able to “identify its mistake, rectify it, and implement it again after two days.” 

    “All our jets were flying again and engaging targets at long range,” he added. However, he refused to admit that six of the IAF fighter jets were downed.

    Chauhan’s acknowledgement followed when the interviewee asked, “Pakistan claims that six Indian jets were downed. Is it correct in that estimate?”

    After being asked about US President Donald Trump’s claim that American diplomacy helped avert a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan, General Chauhan declined to comment directly, calling the suggestion “far-fetched.”

    “I personally feel there is significant space between conventional military operations and the nuclear threshold,” he said. 

    Chauhan asserted that communication channels with Pakistan were always open to de-escalate tensions, noting that there are “sub-ladders” on the escalation scale that both countries can use to resolve issues without resorting to nuclear options.

    While an official statement from the Indian government remains pending regarding the losses of aircraft during the 88-hour clash with Pakistan, a senior leader of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Subramanian Swamy, admitted on Friday that Pakistan had shot down five IAF fighter jets.

    “Pakistan downed five of our planes,” Swamy, however, confirmed during a podcast with YouTube channel Press Talks.

    When asked if China had played a role in downing the jets, Swamy said that it was indeed the case as the jets used by PAF were “Chinese-made”. He, however, dismissed claims that China was directly involved in a clash with India.

  • Mahira Khan reveals her favourite gift in a relationship

    Mahira Khan reveals her favourite gift in a relationship

    Film stars Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed offered fans a charming glimpse into their thoughts on love, gifts, and relationships during a YouTube interview promoting their upcoming romantic comedy Love Guru.

    Humayun Saeed shared that he doesn’t want anything material from his wife, just her “permission and consent.” His unexpected answer even left Mahira Khan surprised.

    “I just want her to say, ‘Go, do whatever you want, wander around, and then come back home,’” he elaborated.

    When Mahira was asked, “What gift do you want in a relationship?” she smiled and said, “I like small things as gifts,” adding that bangles are something she truly appreciates.

    On the topic of love and green signals in relationships, Humayun Saeed added, “Belief is a green signal.”

    Mahira praised his answer, saying, “He’s very smart. He gave both answers very intelligently.”

    She noted, “First he said that his wife should allow him to do anything, and then he said belief matters, which means he wants his wife to trust him even after giving him permission.”

    The video clip quickly went viral on social media.

  • Arshad Nadeem wins gold with massive throw at Asian Athletics Championship

    Arshad Nadeem wins gold with massive throw at Asian Athletics Championship

    Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem on Saturday won gold at the men’s javelin final of the Asian Athletics Championship in South Korea’s Gumi, recording a massive 86.40m throw.

    This was Arshad’s best throw of the day, coming on his final (sixth) attempt after throws of 75.64m, 76.80m, 83.99m, 83.44m, before he sealed the win with 86.40m. This is also the best throw in Asia this year .

    India’s Yadav claimed the silver medal with a personal best 85.16m throw, achieved on his sixth attempt. His other throws included 77.37m, 83.08m, and several strong efforts to stay in contention.

    Japan’s Sakiyama secured bronze with another personal best throw of 83.75m, recorded in his sixth attempt after consistent efforts of 79.52m and 79.35m.

    Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who was leading the field early on, finished fourth with a best of 83.27m. His performance included a foul, 76.51m, and the 83.27m throw that kept him in the top spots till the final round.

    India’s Yash Vir Singh made a strong comeback after two no-throws and ended fifth with a personal best of 82.57m, following throws of 80.23m and 80.23m again.

    China’s Hu Haoran finished sixth with a season-best 80.93m, maintaining consistency with throws of 78.77m, 77.44m, and 78.24m.

    Sri Lanka’s Mudiyanselage Ranasinghe ended seventh with a throw of 79.81m, while Pakistan’s Yasir Sultan came eighth with his best throw of 75.39m.

    This historic victory makes Arshad the first Pakistani in over 50 years to win gold at the Asian Athletics Championships. It is also Pakistan’s first gold medal at the event since 1973, when Allah Daad won in javelin and Muhammad Younis claimed gold in the 800 meters at the championship held in the Philippines.

    The crowd erupted when Arshad stepped up for his final attempt, with patriotic songs like ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ playing in the stadium. This was Arshad’s first international event since winning gold at the Paris Olympics last year, where he threw a record-breaking 92.97m.

    In the qualifying round a day earlier, Arshad had thrown an impressive 86.34m on his first and only attempt, while Yasir qualified with 76.07m.

    Arshad is now expected to travel to England to continue his training ahead of the World Athletics Championships in September.

  • Javed Akhtar hits back at Bushra Ansari; blames Pakistan for Muslims’ troubles in India

    Javed Akhtar hits back at Bushra Ansari; blames Pakistan for Muslims’ troubles in India

    Despite tensions between Pakistan and India dying down, a war of words between celebrities on either side is continuing with Indian screenwriter, lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar responding to veteran Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari’s jab.

    Bushra had earlier this month taken a jibe at a “so-called writer” in India as tensions brewed between the two countries and viral videos showed Indian celebrities training guns at Pakistan. “He was just waiting for an excuse. He cannot even get a house on rent in Bombay. He’d say anything for his survival,” she had said without naming the writer.

    “Even Naseeruddin Shah is quiet… others are staying silent too… why can’t he?” she had questioned without naming the “so-called writer” but it had come following a viral video that showed Akhtar demanding strict action in response to last month’s Pahalgam attack.

    At least 26 people were killed in a terror attack in the Pahalgam area of held Kashmir when unidentified gunmen had opened fire on innocent tourists on April 22. India had alleged Pakistani involvement – an allegation denied by Islamabad while offering independent probe – and later launched cross-border strikes. The attacks had led to intense clashes between the two countries till a ceasefire was agreed to with the help of United States (US) amid heavy losses on the Indian side.

    “Who are you to give me advice? Who gave you the right over me? Why are you expecting me to stay quiet? I might have 25 problems, but I am an Indian when it comes to her,” Akhtar said while calling out Bushra in an interview with The Lallantop on YouTube.

    While he confirmed the claim that his wife Shabana Azmi was 25 years ago denied a flat in Mumbai for being a Muslim, he said the “bitterness” in Hindus was rooted in their treatment in, and exit from, Sindh during the time of Partition back in 1947.

    “If the owner of the property did not sell us the flat, it was because of you [Pakistan],” he said.

    The interview comes days after Akhtar drew the ire of Pakistanis when he said he would rather go to hell than to Pakistan. “People from both sides abuse me,” he said at the launch of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut’s new book ‘Narkatla Swarg’ in Mumbai on May 17.

    “One calls me a Kaafir (apostate), saying I will go to hell. The other calls me a jihadi, asking me to go to Pakistan. So, if I only have a choice of going either to hell or to Pakistan, I would rather like to go to hell,” he had said, overlooking the hospitality he received on all his trips to the country, including the latest in 2023.

  • ‘I haven’t quit acting’; Sonya Hussaiyn breaks silence on rumours

    ‘I haven’t quit acting’; Sonya Hussaiyn breaks silence on rumours

    Actress Sonya Hussaiyn has finally clarified rumours about her career, saying she “has not quit acting” and “does not intend to,” but has simply reduced her workload for now.

    A few days ago, Sonya stirred conversation during an interview when she said that if her future husband doesn’t allow her to work in showbiz after marriage, she would consider leaving acting. She also mentioned that since she is now moving into production, she “doesn’t plan to act for too long.”

    Following that interview, speculation spread across social media suggesting that Soniya had decided to leave acting altogether. Addressing the rumours, the actress has now set the record straight.

    In a recent interview with a social media influencer, she explained, “I haven’t left acting, and I don’t intend to. I’ve just reduced it for now.”

    Sonya also spoke about the difference between acting and producing, stating, “Production is a better and more meaningful kind of work.”

    She also discussed her upcoming horror film Deemak, revealing that the film has been handled with care because “almost the entire team consists of senior professionals.”

    Addressing rumours about her role in the film, she clarified, “I’m not playing a witch, but yes, my character does have some negative shades.”

    Responding again to the question of quitting acting, Sonya reiterated, “Since I’ve stepped into production, I’ve cut down on acting for a while, but I haven’t said goodbye to it.”

  • Australian woman sets Guinness World Record with 7,079 pull-ups in 24 hours

    Australian woman sets Guinness World Record with 7,079 pull-ups in 24 hours

    A fitness enthusiast from Australia has made headlines by completing a staggering 7,079 pull-ups within 24 hours, setting a new Guinness World Record.

    As per the details, the extraordinary achievement, which is nearly double the previously recognised record, comes from Kandy Cummins of Wagga Wagga in New South Wales, who set the new record between May 29 and May 30.

    Her relentless effort showcased exceptional physical strength, mental toughness and determination.

    Although Australian lifeguard and Ironman Cain Eckstein had completed 7,620 pull-ups back in 2016, his attempt was never officially recognised by Guinness World Records. This left the officially acknowledged record much lower, which Kandy successfully surpassed.

    To achieve this feat, Kandy underwent months of rigorous training, discipline, and strategic planning. “This wasn’t just a physical challenge; it was a mental and emotional battle, too,” she said while talking about her journey.

    “It wasn’t just for me. I wanted to show girls and women that they too can achieve some of the toughest physical feats in the world,” Kandy added.

    The record-setting performance stands not only as a personal triumph but also as a powerful milestone in the global recognition of women’s fitness and determination.

  • Congress leader acknowledges Pakistan’s diplomatic gains after stand-off with India

    Congress leader acknowledges Pakistan’s diplomatic gains after stand-off with India

    Congress leader Pawan Khera acknowledged on Friday that the foreign policy of Pakistan has scored major wins after it’s military stand-off with India. He stated that no country, including New Delhi’s traditional friend Russia, came out in the open to support its attack on Pakistan.

    While Turkey, China and Azerbaijan came openly in support of defending Pakistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, no country officially issued a statement supporting India’s aggression against Islamabad earlier this month.

    “Not one country issued a statement in your [India] favour after its strikes in Pakistan. Our traditional friends did not issue a statement in our favour,” the Congress leader said while speaking to ANI News.

    He further stated that since Operation Sindoor, Kuwait lifted visa restrictions on Pakistan, adding, “Iran and Gulf countries are signing MOUs with Pakistan.”

    He then pointed towards Russia signing an MOU with Islamabad on reviving Pakistan’s steel mill, a real worth billions of dollars. “The most shocking aspect” for India. Russia has been our decades-old friend. Where has the relationship gone wrong?”

    “This is the result of your failed foreign policy,” he stated, lambasting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

    Khera then criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led failed foreign policy, saying that even Colombia issued a statement paying tribute to all people in Pakistan who had died in India’s attack earlier this month.

    The Colombian government had offered condolences to Pakistan over the civilian deaths in the Indian missile strikes in multiple cities in Pakistan, including Bahawalpur and Muridke, on the night between May 6 and 7.

    In response to India’s cowardly missile attack, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) reacted swiftly, downing multiple Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets, including three 4.5-generation Rafales.

    Politicians in India have raised concerns over the BJP-led government’sdiplomatic isolation. Earlier, India’s Leader in the Opposition Rahul Gandhi called it a “collapse” and posed three questions to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar regarding the diplomatic outcomes following hostilities with Pakistan and the subsequent ceasefire.

    On May 23, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), he asked why not a single country backed India in condemning Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack and who asked US President Donald Trump to “mediate” between the two nations.

    He further asked, “Why has India been hyphenated with Pakistan?”

    In his post, Gandhi also tagged Jaishankar’s recent interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS during his visit to The Netherlands.

  • Babar Azam caught in heated exchange with fans, video goes viral

    Babar Azam caught in heated exchange with fans, video goes viral

    A video of former Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam involved in a tense exchange with fans has been circulating on social media.

     The incident reportedly occurred outside a mosque following Jumma prayers. While it remains unclear what exactly provoked the heated moment, Babar appears visibly upset in the footage, prompting a wave of online reactions.

    Some users were quick to criticise, with one commenting, “Hum ne socha tha Babar bhai Ricky Ponting banege lekin ye to Rajab Butt ban rahe hain.” 

    Others, however, jumped to the star batter’s defence, suggesting that the public often crosses boundaries and invades personal space.

    “This can’t be the entire story. That fan must have done something, and I know they often do,” one user wrote. Another added, “Jahil log kabhi nahi sudhr sakte, Babar hamesha izzat karta hai apne fans ki.”

    According to sources familiar with the situation, Babar regularly visits this mosque when not representing the national team. Eyewitnesses claimed the crowd became unruly after spotting the cricketer, with some fans reportedly trying to approach him for selfies aggressively. 

    It merits mention that Babar Azam has been dropped from the ongoing T20I series against Bangladesh.

    Babar’s public confrontation isn’t an isolated case. In 2024, fast bowler Haris Rauf found himself in a similar situation while visiting the United States with his wife. A fan allegedly hurled disrespectful comments at Rauf’s family after the pacer declined to take a photo. A video later emerged showing Haris confronting the individual, visibly angry and emotionally charged.

    Rauf addressed the situation on social media, stating, “As public figures, we are open to receiving all kinds of feedback from the public… Nevertheless, when it comes to my parents and my family, I will not hesitate to respond accordingly.”

    Earlier this year, star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi also faced trouble when an overenthusiastic crowd caused chaos during a charity match in Lahore. While attempting to leave the venue, Afridi was mobbed by fans, some even tried to pull his shirt to take selfies.

  • ‘Stay within your limits’: Kamran Akmal hits back at Babar Azam’s father

    ‘Stay within your limits’: Kamran Akmal hits back at Babar Azam’s father

    The feud between former Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal and Muhammad Azam Siddiqui, the father of master batsman Babar Azam, has gone up a few notches after Siddiqui’s recent Instagram post appeared to take a personal dig at Akmal. 

    The dispute began when Kamran Akmal said on a podcast that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan should now focus only on Test cricket and be phased out of T20Is and, eventually, ODIs. Akmal said that both players are more suited to the longer format and questioned their place in the white-ball setup.

    In response, Babar Azam’s father shared an old photo of himself with Babar and Kamran Akmal, along with a caption that indirectly addressed Kamran’s criticism. He reminded Akmal of a past match where Babar scored a century and Kamran was dismissed for zero, implying that those who talk behind the backs of successful people do so out of failure. He also referenced a Turkish proverb comparing brothers to the biblical story of Abel and Cain, further intensifying the tone of the message.

    Now, Kamran Akmal has replied by posting the same photo on his Instagram story and writing down a stern warning. 

    “May Allah bless you with even more success and respect. Being silent is not an option every time, especially when false narratives are being spread,” he wrote.

    He urged Babar’s father to be cautious with his words, adding, “I kindly ask that you think twice before speaking or posting about me without facts. My parents have taught us never to be jealous of anyone, and Alhamdulillah, I’ve proudly represented my country and performed with dignity.”

    Kamran also drew a line, stating, “There are clear boundaries, and you’ve crossed them more than once; stay within your limits. Don’t lose your respect by continuing down this path.”

    He concluded with a reminder that cricket should remain performance-based and not personal, saying, “Cricket is about performance, not personal agendas. And if you’re going to hint at someone, be clear: truth doesn’t hide in shadows. Pakistan humesha Zindabad.”

  • Pakistan, Sri Lanka declared joint winners of tennis tournament

    Pakistan, Sri Lanka declared joint winners of tennis tournament

    The final of the ATF South Asian Under-12 Tennis Championship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was called off due to rain, resulting in both teams being declared joint champions. Both teams were awarded gold medals.

    The title clash was held in Colombo, where the Pakistani team remained undefeated throughout the tournament. In the first match of the final, Pakistan’s Rashid Ali defeated Sri Lanka’s V. Vithanurine in straight sets, winning 5-4, 4-0.

    The second match was underway between Pakistan’s Mohammad Shayan Afridi and Sri Lanka’s Amara Singhe. Both players had won one set each when rain interrupted play, making it impossible to continue the match.

    With no result possible, the organizers decided to declare both Pakistan and Sri Lanka as joint winners of the championship.

    Pakistan had a dominant run in the tournament, securing victories against Nepal, Bangladesh, the Maldives, and arch-rivals India on their way to the final.

    Pakistan has also qualified for the upcoming ATF Under-12 Asian Championship, which is scheduled to be held in Singapore in August.