Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • John Cena wins 17th World Title after beating Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania

    John Cena wins 17th World Title after beating Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania

    WWE legend John Cena made history on Sunday night in Las Vegas after winning his 17th world title at WrestleMania, also known as the “Showcase of the Immortals.” He defeated Cody Rhodes in a 30-minute match for the Undisputed WWE Championship, with a surprise assist from rapper Travis Scott. With this win, Cena broke his tie with Ric Flair, who held 16 world championships.

    Cena had turned heel (a bad guy in wrestling terms) for the first time in 22 years back in March, when he attacked Rhodes at the end of the Elimination Chamber event. He had teamed up with his longtime rival Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who recently returned to the ring and is now a board member of WWE’s parent company, TKO Group.

    The final face-off between Cena and Rhodes happened on Friday night during SmackDown at the T-Mobile Arena. Cena confirmed that this would be his last WrestleMania match, telling Rhodes, “Sunday will be my last time in a WrestleMania ring. Nobody’s had the guts to end their career the way I will. You can’t prepare for a man who knows the end is near.”

    He also said many people think he’ll come back like other wrestlers do, but he claimed he’s different. He said, “Wrestling retirements don’t exist because everyone’s too scared. They always want one more match. But not me. Most wrestlers are insecure losers.”

    Cena also mocked Rhodes for caring too much about the fans and shouted to the crowd, saying, “You people don’t write history. Winners do.”

    Rhodes didn’t hold back either. He called Cena “overrated” and said he looked like “melting wax” and was “paler than Sting at Starrcade 1997.” He also joked about Cena’s Oscars appearance, saying, “You walked on stage naked just to impress the people you run errands for, and even in 2025, you still can’t wrestle.”

    The intense night ended with Cena slapping Rhodes. Rhodes responded by reversing Cena’s Attitude Adjustment into his own finishing move, the Cross Rhodes, and stood tall over him before their big match.

    But in the end, it was Cena who stood tall at WrestleMania, making history one final time.

  • PCB reacts to Jason Gillespie’s non-payment claim

    PCB reacts to Jason Gillespie’s non-payment claim

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has strongly refuted former Test head coach Jason Gillespie’s allegation of unpaid dues for his nine-month tenure, stating that the claim is untrue and that Gillespie violated the terms of his contract.

    Responding to Gillespie’s recent interview—where he expressed disappointment over not receiving payment for his time as Pakistan’s Test coach—the PCB clarified that Gillespie left his position without serving the mandatory four-month notice period outlined in his agreement.

    According to the board, the former Test head coach’s resignation unilaterally voided certain contractual obligations, and he is now liable to settle his own dues first. “Gillespie resigned without notice, despite a clause requiring both parties to provide four months’ notice. As a result, the pending payments are actually on his side,” said the PCB.

    The board also confirmed that Gillespie’s agent had reached out regarding the unpaid amount but was informed that the matter could only be resolved once Gillespie fulfilled his contractual responsibilities.

    In his interview, Gillespie said he holds no ill feelings toward Pakistan cricket but expressed frustration over the delayed payment, calling it “a bit disappointing.” He also admitted that the experience made him reconsider his future in full-time coaching.

    Gillespie was appointed head coach of the Pakistan Test team in April 2024 and resigned in December, citing differences with the PCB as the reason for his early departure.

  • PCB starts looking for new head coach: report

    PCB starts looking for new head coach: report

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is officially seeking a new head coach following the national team’s string of disappointing performances and consecutive defeats.

    This announcement comes at a time when the team, under the interim leadership of Aaqib Javed, has struggled significantly. During his tenure, Pakistan failed to progress beyond the first round of the ICC Champions Trophy, despite hosting the tournament on home soil. The team’s performance during the recent New Zealand tour was also dismal, managing only a single victory out of seven matches.

    Earlier, experienced coaches such as Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie were also brought in to uplift the team’s performance. However, both were dismissed after only a few months in charge, reportedly due to internal differences and performance issues.

    The PCB’s newly released advertisement for the head coach position requires applicants to hold a Level 3 coaching certification, along with at least 10 years of coaching experience.

    Meanwhile, sources suggest that Aaqib Javed is no longer interested in becoming the permanent head coach. Instead, he is reportedly aiming for the role of High Performance Director on the board.

  • 12 Punjab University teachers ‘go missing’ after receiving millions in PhD scholarships

    12 Punjab University teachers ‘go missing’ after receiving millions in PhD scholarships

    At least 12 professors of Lahore’s Punjab University (PU) have gone missing after receiving millions of rupees in PhD scholarships abroad, it has emerged.

    According to reports, varsity administration has decided to write a letter to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other authorities concerned to recover funds from the teachers who did not rejoin service after completing their degrees in foreign countries.

    Of the total 56 faculty members who were awarded substantial amounts, reports said, at least 12 had failed to return and resume their duties.

    The varsity, it was reported, will now also be writing to Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to block the identity cards and passports of the absconding teachers.

    As per the agreement, these faculty members were obligated to serve at the university for at least five years post-PhD. Failure to do so requires them to repay the full scholarship amount, varsity administration said.

    The names of the absconding teachers and the respective amounts they owe have also been released by a PU spokesperson, which are as follows:

    Farah Sattar (GIS Centre): Rs7 million  

    Syed Mohsin Ali (GIS Centre): Rs14 million  

    Kiran Ayesha (Institute of Administrative Sciences): Rs10 million  

    Rabia Ibad (Department of MMG): Rs9 million  

    Khawaja Khurram Khurshid (IQTM): Rs8.4 million  

    Shumaila Ishaq (Hailey College of Commerce): Rs16.1 million  

    Usman Raheem (Centre for Coal Technology): Rs7.2 million  

    Salman Aziz (College of Engineering): Rs9 million  

    Muhammad Nawaz (GIS): Rs7.2 million  

    Javeria Iqbal (PUCIT): Rs6 million  

    Seemab Ara (Administrative Sciences): Rs10 million  

    Samia Mahmood: Rs11.6 million  

    PU has also officially dismissed all defaulters from service.

  • ‘We were misled’: KFC attackers apologise for vandalism

    ‘We were misled’: KFC attackers apologise for vandalism

    Amid a series of attacks on multinational food-chains, particularly Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), by pro-Palestine activists, those involved in the attack and vandalism at KFC’s Sector E-11 branch in Islamabad have offered an apology, saying they were “misled”.

    At a press conference held in the federal capital, the attackers stepped forth one by one and offered their apologies, with one introducing himself as Sher Badal, a resident of Rawalpindi. “I was there at the time of the attack. I was misled… and this won’t happen next time. I offer apologies to the government and the nation,” he said.

    Another assailant, identified as Izzatutullah of Rawalpindi, said that he joined in when people attacked the global food chain. “To which I feel sorry,” he said.

    One of the attackers, Mohammad Ijaz, said he was just following others. “What we did was very wrong. Whatever damage was done, it was a loss for Pakistan. I urge the youth to stay away from such tactics,” he added.

    A mob had on April 15 attacked KFC’s outlet in Islamabad’s E-11/2. The incident had resulted in severe damage to the premises.

    While similar attacks were also reported in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, and had resulted in at least one death, Islamabad police had issued a statement claiming that police had detained five for vandalism.

    Videos on social media had also shown protesters forcefully entering the premises of the fast-food restaurant and forcing the staff to shut it down.

  • PCB to make PSL a separate company; will run independently

    PCB to make PSL a separate company; will run independently

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed major steps taken to separate the Pakistan Super League (PSL) from its operations, aiming to make the country’s premier cricketing league a private company that will run independently.

    In a recent talk with journalists, PSL Chief Commercial Officer (COO) Salman Naseer revealed the paperwork to register the league as Pakistan Super League Private Limited was now complete and a formal announcement will be made after the ongoing tenth edition of the PSL.

    The idea of making PSL a separate company has been around for a long time. Back in November 2016, the PCB’s board approved the move when Najam Sethi was the PSL chairman. The plan was to give the league its own governing board and allow it to work independently. However, it faced many delays due to legal and administrative issues. There was also resistance from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and concerns about PCB officials being involved in a private company.

    Now, after years of waiting, the PCB has moved forward. Making the PSL a separate company is expected to improve how it operates and help attract private investors. However, some important details — like how revenue will be shared and who will make the big decisions — have not yet been shared.

    PSL franchise owners, on the other hand, are hopeful but cautious as they have been asking for a clearer financial system for a long time.

    More information is expected to come after the current season ends on May 18.

  • ‘PPP cannot continue’: Bilawal threatens end to coalition if canal project continues

    ‘PPP cannot continue’: Bilawal threatens end to coalition if canal project continues

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has warned that the party would withdraw from Centre if the federal government did not halt the “controversial” canals project on the Indus River.

    “PPP demands that the federal government immediately halted the controversial canals project. Acknowledge our reservations. Otherwise, the PPP cannot continue with you,” Bilawal said while speaking at a rally held in Hyderabad’s Hatri Bypass Ground on Friday night.

    The Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) launched last month is spearheaded by the federal government and hinges on a network of six newly-developed canals that will channel water from the Indus River to irrigate Punjab’s Cholistan region. It is being touted as a bold step towards food security and rural upliftment, transforming barren lands through modern farming techniques.

    However, stakeholders fear the project will siphon away water rights from Sindh where the PPP is in power.

    “We do not need your ministries, but respect,” the PPP chairperson said in his address on Friday, adding that the canals project was “absolutely unacceptable under any circumstances”.

    Bilawal warned that the issue of water distribution could put the federation in danger, adding that people in Islamabad were blind and deaf, and were not willing to listen to their demands. “We are not among those who oppose just for the sake of opposition,” he said and added that they were opposing the [new canal project] because the federal government was in danger.

    The PPP chief remarked that the new canals project had been touched upon at a time when militancy was growing in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and said he feared that such a project could result in infighting.

    “I thought Shehbaz Sharif would stay away from the project after seeing such a reaction, because he understands that without PPP’s support, he can’t run assembly sessions or pass the budget. But it seems he is not ready to shelve the project. If that is the case, then we are not ready to give up either.”

    Bilawal also asked who would speak on the issue if not the PPP.

    Earlier, the PPP chief also accused the federal government of denying support prices to farmers and stopping provinces from procuring wheat for the crop. Moreover, he congratulated the people of Umerkot for retaining the seat that had fallen vacant after the demise of Nawab Yusuf Talpur.

  • Minahil Malik threatens legal action against Umair Awan for including ‘personal details’ in new song

    Minahil Malik threatens legal action against Umair Awan for including ‘personal details’ in new song

    Pakistani TikToker and content creator Minahil Malik has claimed that singer Umair Awan included personal details from her life in his new song.

    In a video shared on her TikTok account, Minahil Malik can be seen threatening legal action against the singer. She warned that if the song is not removed from YouTube within 24 hours, she will file an FIR.

    “Things related to my personal life have been shown in Umair Awan’s new song Laare Aa, which I did not like at all,” she said in her video.

    She demanded that the song be deleted immediately, calling it a violation of her privacy.

    In response, singer Umair Awan posted a message online, saying, “Minahil can do whatever she wants, I will not delete my song.”

    The song “Laare Aa,” performed by Umair Awan and Haris, was uploaded to YouTube three days ago and has already garnered 99,000 views.

    Social media users are reacting to the ongoing drama. Some believe this could be a publicity stunt, while others think Minahil may be trying to make the song go viral through controversy.

  • The Current bags gold for ‘Best Newsletter’, ‘Best Fact-Check’ at prestigious international media awards

    The Current bags gold for ‘Best Newsletter’, ‘Best Fact-Check’ at prestigious international media awards

    In recognition of its commitment to journalistic standards and impactful engagement, The Current – Pakistan’s fastest-growing digital news platform for the youth – has bagged two awards at the prestigious World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) Digital Media Awards South Asia 2025.

    Representing over 18,000 publications across 120 countries, WAN-IFRA, through its digital media awards, celebrates excellence in digital journalism, recognising publishers that push boundaries in storytelling, technology and audience engagement.

    “Acknowledging the significant role of small and medium publishers, WAN-IFRA continues to support and celebrate the success of news organisations with annual revenues below $5 million, ensuring broader recognition of impactful journalism in the region. Pluc (India) and The Current (Pakistan) bagged Gold across Video, Newsletter and Engagement categories,” read a statement issued by the organisation on its website.

    The awards – for the ‘Best Newsletter’ and ‘Best Fact-Checking Project’ – highlight The Current’s dedication to delivering high-quality digital content that resonates with its audiences. The recognition also places The Current among the top innovators in South Asian media, reinforcing its role as a leader in digital journalism.

    While The Current’s newsletter brings curated content straight to your inbox every morning at 9 am, the award-winning fact-check investigated social media claims and widespread violent protests in response to the Punjab College rape case from 2024, which never really took place.  

    The entries, WAN-IFRA said, were evaluated by a panel of experienced editors and industry experts on the basis of innovation, audience impact and journalistic excellence.

    “As a next step, all Gold winners from this year’s awards will automatically qualify for WAN-IFRA’s World Digital Media Awards, where they will compete with top digital projects from across the globe,” the statement added.

    Other notable winners included BBC, Deutsche Welle, The Hindu, The Quint and The Daily Star among others. The winners will be presented their trophies at the Digital Media India 2025 Conference on June 18, 2025, in Chennai.

  • Resham all-praise for CM Maryam’s ‘personality and charm’

    Resham all-praise for CM Maryam’s ‘personality and charm’

    Renowned senior actress Resham has praised the personality and charm of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz after meeting her at an event.

    Taking to Instagram, Resham shared pictures and selfies with the Chief Minister, which she had captured herself during the Punjabi Culture Day celebrations held the previous day. Along with the photos, she wrote an emotional caption expressing her admiration for Maryam Nawaz.

    “Meeting Maryam Nawaz on Punjab Cultural Day is a beautiful feeling that still lingers in my heart,” wrote Resham.

    She added, “I truly understood the magic of personality after meeting her. Having such a sincere and warm conversation with her is a great honour for me.”

    In her post, Resham also praised the leadership qualities of Maryam Nawaz, stating, “Only prayers come from my heart for this woman who, as a woman, has surpassed even men. Long live Maryam.”

    The main event of Punjabi Culture Day was held at the Alhamra Arts Council in Lahore, where Maryam Nawaz attended as the chief guest. During the event, she also announced a special support package for wheat farmers in Punjab.

    Resham’s heartfelt tribute reflects the growing admiration for Maryam Nawaz’s leadership, especially among women in the arts and culture sector.